Arizona
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Other names to watch: Damien Martinez (Miami), RJ Harvey (UCF)
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)
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.
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)
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.
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)
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.
Other names to watch: Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona state Sen. Mark Finchem has filed a bill that would hold online platforms accountable if they help support prostitution or child sex trafficking.
Finchem, a Republican from Prescott, said Senate Bill 1077 would make it a felony for anyone or any business that knowingly operates an online service that facilitates, promotes or solicits those types of sex offenses.
Violations involving underage teens between ages 15 and 17 would carry a class 5 felony, while those involving children under 15 would be guilty of a class 2 felony.
“Technology should never be used as a shield for those who profit from exploitation,” said Finchem in a news release. “Criminal activity has adapted to the digital age, and our laws must do the same.
The proposal would also penalize platforms that show harmful materials to kids and don’t have “reasonable age verification” established. It also prohibits people from profiting from these types of crimes.
Finchem said the bill came about through working with the chamber’s Human Sex Trafficking Task Force, which was formed by Senate President Warren Petersen, also a Republican. The task force was established to find gaps in Arizona law as technology evolves.
“Protecting children and shutting down modern avenues of exploitation must remain a top priority, and this legislation reflects that commitment,” Finchem said in part.
“It is no secret that sexual predators and human traffickers use the internet to sell the most vulnerable among us for a profit,” said Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes in a prepared statement. “Senator Finchem’s SB 1077 will protect women and children from these criminals, as well as give law enforcement a needed tool in the prevention of crime.”
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What to do if you’re in an accident on an Arizona roadway
In the event of an accident, here are some things you need to know.
The Republic
Arizonans may think pedestrians always having the right of way is a given.
State law, however, does not quite reach that conclusion.
When pedestrians have the right of way varies based on the situation. And there is a lot to take into account.
Making matters more concerning, data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that in 2024 there were 2,079 pedestrians involved in traffic crashes in the state. Of these, 263 were killed.
The Arizona Republic sampled expertise on pedestrian right of way from those who know the rules best: law enforcement.
Here is what you should know about the laws regarding pedestrian right of way in Arizona.
What Arizona law says about pedestrians’ right of way in a crosswalk
Unless there is a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing, motorists must yield the right of way to a pedestrian on a crosswalk, according to Arizona state law, A.R.S. 28-792. Pedestrians also have right of way when a pedestrian is on half of the roadway that the vehicle is traveling or when approaching a vehicle so closely from the opposite half of the road that they are in danger, the law says.
Additionally, the law directs drivers to not try and pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
Are there exceptions to when a pedestrian has a right of way in Arizona?
A pedestrian cannot “leave any curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield,” the law states.
What law enforcement says about pedestrians’ right of way in Arizona
Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bower explained that a pedestrian crossing a crosswalk with signage indicating not to cross would be a fault in a crash. Pedestrians cannot cross the street on an angle, but must cross in a straight path, Bower added.
“The pedestrians have to ensure that there is safe distance and it’s safe to cross over,” Bower said. “It’s still up to the drivers that if there’s somebody in the street, they have to still slow down or stop for that individual.”
Marked crosswalks typically have white lines painted on them, he noted, adding, there are also the ones with traffic signals at major intersections.
Bower also pointed to the High Intensity Activated CrossWalK (HAWK) crosswalks found in Phoenix, which are activated by a pedestrian pushing a button and a sequence of yellow, red and flashing red lights for motorists to yield.
Some tips for drivers regarding pedestrians’ right of way
Mesa police spokesperson Detective Jessie Macias advised that pedestrians make eye contact with approaching drivers.
“Try to be seen,” Macias said. “You want to do it in each lane.”
Macias also urged drivers approaching a green light where some vehicles appear to have slowed down or have come to a complete stop to double check whether there is a pedestrian still crossing.
ARIZONA — Former Arizona Cardinals WR Trent Sherfield Sr. is joining the New England Patriots’ practice squad ahead of their Divisional Round tilt against the Houston Texans.
Sherfield was one of eight Cardinals players that had his contract expire yesterday, effectively making him a free agent. It didn’t take him long to find a new home.
Sherfield played a total of 12 regular season games between the Cardinals and Broncos this year. He signed to Arizona’s practice squad later in the year after a plethora of injuries plagued the Cardinals’ wide receiver room.
For the Cardinals specifically, he had just one target thrown his way through the two games he played after landing in Arizona back in November.
It was initially a homecoming for Sherfield, who began his career with Arizona as an undrafted free agent back in 2018.
“Coming here was a blessing in a lot of different ways,” said Sherfield (h/t AZCardinals.com). “I needed to be here … It’ll be surreal to be back out there.”
Now, Sherfield is a depth piece for one of the league’s hottest teams in New England, who could very well make a push to the Super Bowl if they play to their strengths.
As for the Cardinals, they’re in the midst of a coaching search yet again after Jonathan Gannon was sent packing after three years of service.
“I know our fans are frustrated. I am more frustrated. I know Monti is more frustrated. And so is JG and every one of those coaches and players. We all expected more. But when I look at it, some of the changes that were made with other teams just a year or two years ago, those teams with new coaches from a year or two ago are now in the playoffs, playing this weekend,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said.
“I know we can turn it around, and I’m looking forward to getting going with this search because it’s going to be a great opportunity for us to be that next story where we flip it around.
“We want to win. This was a decision that was based solely off winning. When I look at what other teams have done, and frankly, historically, we’ve done a quick turnaround in our not too distant past, I am looking forward to that, and I hope it’s going to be in the first year, not in the second year,” he said.
“But we’re confident that our search is going to be thorough, it’s going to be broad, and we’re going to select the right coach.”
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