Carson Beck among those needing a boost this Cardinals training camp as pads come on

GLENDALE — The Arizona Cardinals’ second block of training camp practices kicks off Tuesday. And for the first time all camp, pads are now a part of the equation.

Arizona’s early standouts now get the chance to prove their play wasn’t just a shirts-and-shorts outlier.

As for those needing to take a step forward or make up any lost ground in their respective position battles, Tuesday is the first big opportunity to do so.

A look at the players who could use a strong start to the second block of camp, beginning with a rookie:

Cardinals needing to take a step with pads coming on

Carson Beck’s growing pains

Beck didn’t try to sugarcoat things when explaining the differences, especially the speed, between college and the pros while on the Cardinals Corner podcast this offseason.

Even for a guy with that amount of college experience and fresh off being drafted in the third round, he knew it was going to be a major adjustment.

That was on display through the first block of work.

Beck’s arm strength looks just fine. His accuracy, however, has been a noticeable issue.

When it comes to intermediate to deep throws, Beck has struggled to find consistency, highlighted by his errant throw to a wide-open Jeremiyah Love in the corner of the end zone during the first day of open camp practices.

The pass wasn’t particularly close, either.

It’s drink-from-a-fire-hydrant time for all NFL rookies, especially quarterbacks. Growing pains are going to be there.

How he improves his footwork is going to be something to watch as the pads come on. The same goes for how Beck operates further down the depth chart.

With Jacoby Brisset back in the mix after signing his new contract on Sunday, both Beck and Gardner Minshew II are moving down the depth chart beginning Tuesday.

Beck, who has worked mainly with the second-team offense through most of the first camp block, will start getting reps with those lower on the depth chart.

How quickly can he find a rhythm with a different mix of players while still making visible steps forward with his own mechanics?

Right side of OL living up to expectations (and not in a good way)

Arizona’s defense had a strong first block, with Darius Robinson and Baron Browning getting in the backfield on a consistent basis against the first-team offense across the two open practices.

They’re doing their thing, but there’s also a common theme with their pressures: A lot are coming against the right side of the line, which has been anchored by guard Isaiah Adams and tackle Elijah Wilkinson.

The left side hasn’t been perfect by any means, and defenders have the upper hand in the trenches when the pads are off, but the biggest question mark along the line heading into camp remains just that.

Wilkinson is viewed as the expected Week 1 starter. Adams’ spot in the lineup is up in the air.

Even before the off-the-field legal issues popped up right before camp, right guard was a position battle to watch with 2026 second-rounder Chase Bisontis as a legitimate threat to Adams’ role.

And with Bisontis starting to creep up the depth chart — he got some second-team run on Sunday — it could be only a matter of time before the rookie works his way into the starting lineup.

Can Adams hold him off?

The door could be closing on Trey Benson

Jeremiyah Love looks like the real deal. The shiftiness, the speed, the playmaking ability. It’s all been on display through padless work.

 

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Tyler Allgeier has been the first one out of the backfield for the Cardinals in all but one small open portion section of practices, solidifying his expected importance in the offense.

Bam Knight has had some sneaky highlights this camp, and James Conner (while still working his way back to team drills) doesn’t need much introduction.

That leaves Benson, who like Conner has yet to get in the mix during 11-on-11s as he looks to check the final boxes in his recovery from a season-ending knee injury in 2025.

Step 1 is getting back to participating fully in offensive team deals.

Step 2 is showing he can still be a factor in Arizona’s new-look run game.

The Cardinals clearly felt a need to bolster the room with the additions of Love and Allgeier this offseason.

And with those ahead of him on the depth chart looking the part, the more Benson doesn’t look a part of Arizona’s future ground game plans.

How he looks on special teams, something he’s done this camp after logging zero snaps with the unit across the first two seasons, could be the deciding factor on whether he earns a roster spot in Arizona.

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