Arizona Cardinals 2023 Training Camp Preview
The Cardinals have fallen a far way. Just two years ago, Arizona was undefeated at 7-0 and looked like potential perennial Super Bowl contenders. Since then, they’ve gone 8-20, fired their head coach, and their star quarterback tore his ACL. This upcoming season, the Arizona Cardinals are set to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. The good news is that Arizona will likely have two top-five picks in the NFL Draft. The bad news is that fans will have to endure a full season devoid of playoff aspirations and any star on offense. They may not be Super Bowl contenders, but there are still position battles to be won, a roster to be set, and players who will break out on this rebuilding roster.
Position Battles
Quarterback: Colt McCoy vs. Clayton Tune
Kyler Murray likely won’t see the field at all in 2023 as he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 14 against New England last season. That means that the Cardinals will have to choose between Colt McCoy and Clayton Tune as the starter. McCoy took over for Murray after the injury and posted a 1-2 record with 780 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. McCoy also appeared in three games in the 2021 season, going 2-1 with 740 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. If the Cardinals want mediocrity and stability, they’ll go with the well-traveled veteran Colt McCoy. But if they want upside, they’ll go with the rookie Clayton Tune out of Houston. Tune doesn’t have a massive arm but processes the game quickly and can make good decisions. He’s also mobile enough to create out-of-the-pocket, run option plays, and evade pass rushers. Tune is slightly limited because of his lack of arm strength, but certainly brings more upside to Arizona than McCoy.
Wide Receiver #2 – Michael Wilson vs. Rondale Moore vs. Zach Pascal vs. Greg Dortch
With the shocking departure of DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona has quite a competitive race for the second wideout spot behind Hollywood Brown. The apparent leader to win the job is rookie wideout, Michael Wilson. Wilson was just a third-round pick out of Stanford but has reportedly impressed in camp and is much further along than most rookies. Wilson struggled with injuries throughout his collegiate career but was effective when healthy. Another candidate with a deep injury history is Rondale Moore. Moore has missed 12 games across his first two seasons and just underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia. It’s unclear if Moore will be available in the preseason, but he’s also been productive when healthy. In just eight games last season, Moore recorded 414 yards and 41 catches. Returning wide-out Greg Dortch is also in the running. While Dortch is undersized, he had a career year last season. Dortch notched 467 yards and two touchdowns on 52 receptions. The final dog in the race is Zach Pascal. Pascal spent the first four seasons of his career in Indianapolis before joining Philadelphia on their Super Bowl run last year.
Center: Hijalte Froholdt vs. Jon Gaines II
While he flew under the radar during the draft process, Jon Gaines II has a chance to immediately be the starting center for the Cardinals. Gaines II was drafted in the fourth round out of UCLA and saw action at tackle, guard, and center. He lacks elite strength and power but makes up for it with quickness, competitiveness, and great footwork. The option opposite the rookie is third-year lineman Hijalte Froholdt. Froholdt has seen action in 31 games across his first three seasons for the Patriots and Browns. While Froholdt lines up as a guard primarily, he’ll make the slide over to center to compete for the starting job. Froholdt is my favorite to win the job initially as he was brought over by new offensive coordinator Drew Petzig and already has an advanced understanding of the offense.
Breakout Player: Greg Dortch
Dortch played less than 10% of the Cardinals’ offensive snaps last season and still managed to ball out. He’s got great body control, burst, quickness, agility, and speed and was a menace in the slot last season. With the departure of DeAndre Hopkins, Dortch should see more playing time. He’s set to be a big-time playmaker, as long as his quarterback is competent.
Rookie to Watch: Clayton Tune
I’m not saying Clayton Tune is going to be great next season, but he must be better than Colt McCoy. The transition from college to the pros is always tough, but Arizona brass thinks the Houston product is well-prepared. Coaches and staff have raved about Tune’s moxie and poise through workouts and minicamps. Tune lacks a rocket arm, but he’s surrounded by a good cast of wide receivers and is uber-confident. Regardless of if he wins the initial QB battle against Colt McCoy, I will bet we see Tune on the field before the end of the year is over.
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