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Senior Bowl: Offensive Players Cardinals Should Target

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Senior Bowl: Offensive Players Cardinals Should Target


The Senior Bowl is the first big event in the NFL Draft cycle as essentially an All-Star game for college football’s best players.

The entire league attends the event with the knowledge that many of the players in Mobile, Alabama has pro potential and even more will prove to be valuable targets in the later rounds of the draft.

The Arizona Cardinals have limited ammo in the 2025 NFL Draft, so finding those types of players, no matter the position or the side of the field they play on is pivotal.

As practices roll on this week, expect lots of news from the event including standouts and more. The Cardinals will be paying as much attention as you and me.

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The offensive side of the football is loaded with big names and talents, especially at quarterback. I have a handful of players at each position who should have the Cardinals full attention this week. One main standout and a few other names to watch for make up this list.

Let’s begin.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dar

Jan 2, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) celebrates after beating the Duke Blue Devils in the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

I’m on record for saying that Kyler Murray needs real competition in the quarterback room and this offseason is the most pivotal time to do that. The 2025 NFL Draft has no shortage of veteran QBs with lots of playing time to their name and chances to be difference-makers at the next level.

None appeals to me more than Dart, the Rebels all-time passing yards leader.

In his three seasons in Oxford after appending his freshman year at USC, Dart tossed 10,617 yards with 72 touchdowns while completing 65.7% of his passes. Dart also tallied 1,498 rushing yards and 12 more scores. He’s done all of this while proving he’s an NFL quarterback.

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I believe that Dart deserves to flirt with being a first round draft choice, but there are many who disagree. He doesn’t seem to have a consensus opinion on where he should be drafted, but the Cardinals should seriously consider adding him as a high-end backup to Murray at worst, and someone who could usurp him at best.

Other names to watch: Riley Leonard (Notre Dame), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)

Devin Neal, Kansa

Nov 30, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images / Chris Jones-Imagn Images

ASU legend Cam Skattebo is opting out of the Senior Bowl to focus on preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine. The hometown hero would have been the runaway favorite to watch, but with him out we turn our attention to an inner-conference rival instead.

Neal is the Jayhawks’ all-time leading rusher with over 4,300 yards and 49 touchdowns. What has my attention the most is his prowess as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Neal has 70 receptions for 654 yards in the last three seasons and looks comfortable and confident in the passing game.

The Cardinals have capable running backs in the passing game with James Conner and Trey Benson, but Neal could be an elite pass catcher and a primary third down back for obvious passing situations.

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Other names to watch: Damien Martinez (Miami), RJ Harvey (UCF)

Jalen Royals, Utah Stat

Sep 30, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Utah State Aggies wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the UConn Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

Royals has had great production in his two seasons with the Aggies, including over 1,900 yards and 21 touchdowns. Royals possesses plenty of play-making ability after the catch and can make some serious cash with a good week in Mobile.

The Cardinals wide receiver room has Marvin Harrison Jr, Michael Wilson, and not much else. Depth and quite frankly upgrades from last season are desperately needed for Arizona to roll out a much more balanced passing attack next season and I like Royals to be that guy.

Sliding Royals into this offense gives Arizona a run after catch threat and a player who would thrive off a quick-passing attack. Royals compliments the big bodies of Harrison and Wilson while possessing more than adequate size at 6’ and 205lbs.

Other names to watch: Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins (Iowa State), Xavier Restrepo (Miami)

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Harold Fannin Jr.

Sep 7, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Bowling Green Falcons tight end Harold Fannin Jr (0) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

The most productive tight end in the nation and a Consensus All-American, Fannin is quite an intriguing prospect. Fannin set NCAA records at the tight end position across the board, including single-season receiving yards (1,555), yards per game, total receptions (117), receptions per game (9.0), and so many more. Fannin also had just four drops on 150 targets.

It was undeniably a special, special season.

Fannin is a fan-favorite in the draft community even with average to below-average size at the tight end spot at 6’4 and 230lbs. However, there’s no denying his insane production and terrific chance to produce in the pros.

Yes, Trey McBride is still here, and the Cardinals are all but guaranteed to extend him, but having a second pass catching tight end – and one who’s better after the catch – isn’t a bd option to have for an offense that likes two tight ends.

McBride was seen as a luxury pick when he was drafted in 2022, but he’s worked out fantastically. The same could be said if Fannin is drafted, but he’s a special talent in the passing game you can find a fit for him.

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And besides, if you want to get crazy then put him outside at receiver. Have fun with that matchup, opposing DBs!

Other names to watch: Terrance Ferguson (Oregon), Mason Taylor (LSU)

Emery Jones, LS

Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) lines up during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images. / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Jones entered the 2024 season with hype to be a first round pick. Unfortunately, Jones didn’t show enough growth in his final season in Baton Rogue and looks to be a day three pick. The Senior Bowl is his biggest opportunity to work his way back up at least into day two range.

The one aspect of Jones that may be turning teams off is his lack of versatility, as he’s solely a right tackle prospect. It also doesn’t seem coincidental that Jones had a worse season after the departure of Heisman quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose running ability helped extend plays.

But to Jones’ credit, that’s a two-way street and he helped Daniels stay upright in the pocket.

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Jones isn’t exactly a project player, but he needs refinement to get back to where he was in 2023. The Cardinals can grab Jones late in the draft and stash and develop him into becoming the high-end right tackle he has shown he can become.

Other names to watch: Wyatt Milum (West Virginia), Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)

Jonah Savaiinae

Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Savaiinaea has spent time all over the offensive line in Tucson, both on the left and right side, plus ample experience at tackle and guard. I’m on record that I like Savaiinaea to move inside to guard at the next level, but his versatility makes him a much more attractive prospect that others.

Savaiinaea split his snaps almost 50/50 in 2024 between left and right tackle, and his previous two seasons were spent on the right side between tackle and guard. He improved his play each season and feels ready for the pros thanks to so much experience.

Plenty of teams should fancy such an experienced and well-versed offensive lineman, and the Cardinals should be among his biggest suitors. AZ’s offensive line is solid, but needs upgrades, to which Savaiinaea can provide. But it’s the versatility to move around separates him after a season that saw plenty of injuries to the group.

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Other names to watch: Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)



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Arizona

Arizona State, coach Bobby Hurley taking heat for actions in loss to rival Arizona

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Arizona State, coach Bobby Hurley taking heat for actions in loss to rival Arizona


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Few players on the Arizona or Arizona State men’s basketball teams are natives of the Valley. And the Sun Devils only have two players back from last year’s team.

If they weren’t fully aware of the intensity of the Territorial Cup rivalry, they are now.

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The latest installment came on Saturday morning with the visiting Wildcats storming to an 81-72 victory at Desert Financial Arena. The win propelled the Wildcats (15-6, 9-1) to a tie atop the Big 12 standings with Houston, which was upset by Texas Tech in overtime later in the night.

It was a competitive game but it was the ending that incensed Arizona fans and sent social media circles buzzing.

The end of the game featured the ejection of Arizona’s Caleb Love and ASU’s B.J. Freeman, the leading scorers for their respective teams, after Freeman headbutted the Arizona player. Freeman was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for the incident.

After the game ASU coach Bobby Hurley chalked up his player’s misguided action to what he called constant trash-talking on the part of the visitors. No doubt there was added frustration at the inability to close out a close game, yet again.

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In the closing seconds, Hurley sent his bench players to the locker room with his starters following after the final second ticked off the clock. Hurley explained that as heated as the end of the game was, he didn’t want to see the situation escalate in the handshake line.

“I just saw that it was very heated and there were possibilities that something else could have happened and I was going to avoid that,” Hurley said. “I wanted to avoid any further confrontation.”

Senior guard Adam Miller was the ASU player brought into the postgame interview room and took the high road by choosing not to comment on the events that unfolded at the end of the contest.

It certainly wasn’t a good look for Hurley or the university, especially since the game aired nationally on CBS. Many ASU fans are frustrated with Hurley’s sideline antics, and this is just the latest incident.

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Richard Jefferson, former NBA player and broadcaster was among those slamming Hurley on social media. Jefferson is a former Arizona player, so it isn’t surprising.

Hurley was assessed a technical foul with 5:13 left in the first half for objecting to a foul that had been called on Miller. The Sun Devils were ahead 21-19 at the time.

Hurley’s competitive nature, which made him a legend and a two-time national champion in his playing days at Duke, has carried over into his coaching career.

There will be a rematch between Arizona and ASU (12-9, 3-7) at McKale Center on March 4 in the next to last game of the regular season. Arizona is 10-1 on its home floor and the Sun Devils are going to be in desperation mode, their NCAA postseason hopes already seemingly on life support.



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Gilbert man dies in Eloy skydiving accident, marking second death in 8 days

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Gilbert man dies in Eloy skydiving accident, marking second death in 8 days


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Eloy police reported that a man from Gilbert, believed to be wearing a wingsuit, died after his parachute failed to deploy before a hard landing on Saturday. This marks the second skydiving-related death in the area within eight days.

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About 11:40 a.m., 32-year-old Shawn Bowen was reportedly skydiving near the Eloy Municipal Airport while wearing a “wingsuit-type apparatus,” according to a news release from the Eloy Police Department on Saturday evening.

Eyewitnesses reported that during Bowen’s freefall, his parachute did not deploy, and he died after injuries he sustained from the landing.

Investigators from Eloy police and the Federal Aviation Administration were interviewing witnesses to determine why Bowen’s parachute failed to deploy.

The Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office was also at the scene to investigate the death and would conduct an autopsy later next week, according to the Eloy police news release.

Police said the victim’s wife had been notified and offered their condolences to Bowen’s loved ones.

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Anyone with information about the death of Bowen was asked to contact the Eloy Police Department at 520-466-7324, ext. 0, referencing case number 2025000741.

Here are recent deaths attributed to skydiving in Arizona

On Jan. 24, Ann Wick, a 55-year-old from Minnesota, died after her parachute failed to deploy after a skydiving experience in the same area as where Bowen died.

Medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures on Wick, but she was later pronounced dead, according to police. The exact cause of death was still under investigation.

Terry Gardner, 73, died at Skydive Arizona on Jan. 31, 2024, after making a hard landing without a fully deployed parachute. Skydive Arizona said Gardner had completed thousands of jumps.

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That incident came several weeks after a hot-air balloon crash killed four people in Eloy. The balloon, operated by Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, had been carrying 13 people at takeoff — eight of them skydivers who had left the craft before issues arose causing it to crash. None of the skydivers was injured in that incident.

The Arizona Republic’s Jose R. Gonzalez and Perry Vandell contributed to this article.

Reach the reporter at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.



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Learjet that crashed with mother, child onboard had flown to Arizona days earlier

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Learjet that crashed with mother, child onboard had flown to Arizona days earlier


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The Learjet that crashed in Philadelphia on Friday night while transporting a mother and her child had flown in Arizona earlier that week on Monday and Tuesday.

The medical transport flight was carrying six people, including the young patient and their mother, when it went down in Northeast Philadelphia, just miles from a small regional airport en route to Mexico.

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“At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors. No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified,” medical transport company and plane owner, Jet Rescue, said in a statement.

The FAA initially reported that the medical flight was “en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.” Officials later clarified the destination was Mexico.

The young patient had been treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia. The return flight was headed to the patient and caretaker’s home in Mexico, the hospital said.

The medical flight would have no survivors, according to the Aviation Safety Network. Philadelphia authorities said they could not confirm fatalities immediately Friday night as crews of first responders and investigators worked at the large crash site near Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Mall.

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The jet was captured on video exploding upon impact near a shopping center and a residential area close to Northeast Philadelphia Airport, the small regional airport from which the medical flight had departed.

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management initially reported a “major incident” on its X account, formerly Twitter, just before 7 p.m. Friday. It later provided updates confirming details of the crash.

The reason for the crash is still unclear. The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.



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