Darius Robinson, Michael Wilson among early training camp standouts for Cardinals

GLENDALE — The first block of Arizona Cardinals training camp practices is in the books.

And although it’s still early in the process, there’s been a handful of standouts through three practices and a jog-through.

Among them is 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson.

After looking sharp in the first open practice of the year and registering a “sack,” the lineman backed it up with another strong showing and a couple trips to the backfield on Sunday.

Veteran guard Isaac Seumalo’s reaction says it all.

 

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“He’s rushing better,” defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said. “You can just feel that he has a really good sense of how he’s setting things up, what his strengths are with it and if it doesn’t hit, he knows exactly why it didn’t hit.

“In the run game, I would say that like he’s a monster and he provides a flexible piece, which he always has been. He’s taking strides in the run game and the pass rush.”

 

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The 27th overall pick in 2024 continuing to progress as a pass rusher would be big for a Cardinals defensive line leaning on its young talent after Calais Campbell’s departure.

And with a questionable pass-rushing group outside of Josh Sweat, anyone having more of a consistent presence in the backfield is a plus for the unit.

The lineman’s versatility has been talked about plenty. Now, it’s time to cash in on it, and that’s before mentioning the looming fifth-year option decision the team must make down the road.

As for who else is standing out in the early stages of camp, let’s dive in:

Michael Wilson building on back half of 2025

Michael Wilson seems like he’s only getting better after a couple of open practices and is looking like a WR1 in Mike LaFleur’s offense.

That was on display on Sunday, with Wilson pulling down a deep ball before finding pay dirt during red-zone work.

If defensive coordinator Nick Rallis hadn’t already taken notice of the wideout’s day, Wilson made sure to remind him.

Cardinals WR Michael Wilson has been making plays and letting DC Nick Rallis know about it 😂 pic.twitter.com/efgu4FJNBk

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) July 27, 2026

Wilson isn’t just impacting the receiving game, either. Giving off some Puka Nacua vibes, Wilson has gotten some ground work in.

Jeremiyah Love’s pop shows

Love likely doesn’t come as much of a surprise as an early standout given his draft status.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve some props, though.

As Mack Wilson Sr. said earlier this offseason, Love doesn’t look like a rookie on the field — even if offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has made it a point to remind everyone the No. 3 pick is.

 

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His shiftiness and speed have quickly become must-watch at practice. During the first day of open practice, fans and plenty of those watching from the sideline could not stop talking about the running back’s abilities just working through individual drills.

Then came 11-on-11 work, and Love didn’t miss a beat. There’s always going to be things to clean up for the rookie running back, but there’s already been a lot of good on display.

It also appears the coaching staff is taking notice.

While Tyler Allgeier has been the lead back in first-team work, Love was the sole running back working with the unit during Saturday’s jog-through.

It’s only a matter of time before Love gets first crack consistently, especially when he’s helping set the tone for the room.

Kendrick Bourne the sneaky addition?

Bourne has been one of the most consistent playmakers this camp.

He’s also planted his flag as an early fan favorite.

 

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With Wilson picking up where he left off, Marvin Harrison Jr. flashing and Bourne doing his thing, Arizona’s wide receivers room looks much improved.

And that’s before mentioning Arizona’s top offensive weapon.

Trey McBride is that dude

We all know McBride is coming off a career year and has established himself as a top tight end in the league.

That hasn’t stopped the tight end from going all-out during camp.

It won’t count (because out of bounds) but great focus from TE Trey McBride to track this one down.

Helluva route, too. pic.twitter.com/8y0ymhmEB5

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) July 24, 2026

Flexing his play-making abilities in the red zone and deep down the field, the tight end has quickly picked up where he left off last year.

He’ll now see the return of veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the first-team offense on Tuesday, meaning more McBride highlights could follow given their connection last year.

For McBride, it’s all about practicing how you play.

“I just go. … When the ball is in the air, I fully expect myself to make the play and that’s something I want to do,” McBride said Saturday. “Just consistency. I want to be the same player every single day. I want to show the coaches, show my teammates and show myself that it’s not a one-off. … I want to be consistent. I want to make every play that’s thrown to me and I just want to be that security blanket for the quarterback.”

Walter Nolen III jumps in

The defensive lineman wasted no time flashing his speed during the first day of open practice, albeit only in individual drills.

Walter Nolen III flashes his burst to start Day 2 of Cardinals training camp. pic.twitter.com/pO0jiUG5VG

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) July 24, 2026

That changed on Sunday, with Nolen getting his first taste of team drills this camp, where he again displayed his explosiveness.

There’s a lot riding on Nolen to find his way into the starting lineup, and most of all, stay healthy.

So far so good.

Max Melton sticks out amid a deep room

In an uber-crowded cornerbacks room, it’s all about separating from the competition.

Melton did that during the first day of open practice.

Working with the first-team defense most of the time, the 2024 second-round pick made the highlight. His pass breakup of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. on Friday was a great example of that.

 

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He was beat a couple times Sunday, but for a player who fell out of the starting rotation last year, it hasn’t been a bad start to camp.

“He’s in a phenomenal spot,” Rallis said Saturday.

Cardinals DC Nick Rallis says CB Max Melton is in a “phenomenal spot” as he competes in a crowded cornerbacks room. pic.twitter.com/3boIwdCkgg

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) July 26, 2026

Melton has also shown a willingness to impact the game as a kick returner and has been among those getting reps in the role. That’ll be something to watch as camp progresses.

Elijah Jones making a case for himself

Sticking in the cornerbacks room, Jones has been another bright spot this camp.

He was among the winners from Friday’s action, flexing his red-zone defense.

“Major growth. I think the biggest growth I saw was in the offseason program. You just saw a comfort level. What I love about his game right now is he doesn’t get sped up,” Rallis said. “He just never finds himself sped up later in the down.

“And then from there, if you’re in a good position, he’s got length, he’s got speed, he’s got ability to disrupt the football. Let it loose. Excited where he’s trending.”

Spots are limited within the cornerbacks room, and tough decisions are likely going to have to be made come 53-man roster cuts.

Jones so far is making his case heard.

Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson’s role expands

The young safety has had a knack for finding the football.

He didn’t come down with an easy interception on Friday but made up for it with a deep pick on Sunday.

 

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It’s the first interception of camp and helps build Taylor-Demerson’s case as the starting safety opposite Budda Baker.

Eku Leota is now on the radar

The Cardinals pass rusher has been a pest for the second- and third-team offenses early on in camp.

He got to rookie Carson Beck in a hurry on Friday before logging two “sacks” and nearly a third during 11-on-11 work on Sunday.

Arizona needs all the pass-rushing help it can get, though Leota has his work cut out for him with Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, Jordan Burch and BJ Ojulari leading the outside linebackers room.

Baron Browning is here, too

Browning has been flashing his tool belt of pass rushes this camp, highlighted by his “sack” of Minshew on Sunday. Elijah Wilkinson never had a chance.

He had a spin move on left tackle Josh Fryar in the prior open practice that got a rise out of the crowd, too.