NFL.com: Arizona Cardinals Stepfan Taylor could surprise as a rookie

Aug 15, 2013, 6:13 PM | Updated: 6:13 pm

Arizona Sports

Tyrann Mathieu is the Arizona Cardinal rookie garnering the most attention.

The team’s third-round pick, the former LSU Tiger and Heisman Trophy finalist has been making plays all over the field, and is even set to start Saturday’s preseason game in place of an injured Rashad Johnson.

However, Mathieu is hardly the only first-year player on the roster, and he’s not the only one who may make an impact, as first-round pick Jonathan Cooper is expected to start at left guard and linebacker Kevin Minter will likely see considerable playing time at linebacker. But it is running back Stepfan Taylor who earned an NFL.com nod as a rookie ready to surprise this season.

Wrote Chris Wesseling:

The fifth-rounder out of Stanford arrived in the desert as an NFL-ready pass protector and route runner, two qualities often lacking in rookie tailbacks. With a snakebitten Ryan Williams facing the roster guillotine, Taylor could enter the season behind only Rashard Mendenhall on the depth chart. Considering Mendenhall’s durability issues, Taylor might be thrust into the featured back role before the end of the season.

Taylor finished college as Stanford’s all-time leading rusher, and ran for 1,530 yards with 13 touchdowns as a senior. He tallied 64 yards on 20 carries in last Friday’s preseason opener, and along with Alfonso Smith has been the only Cardinals running back not to miss time with injury since camp began.

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Receiver Robby Toma makes a catch in the corner of the end zone during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Andre Roberts turns and runs during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterbacks Drew Stanton, Ryan Lindley and Carson Palmer wait during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Running back Alfonso Smith is wrapped up by linebacker Kevin Minter during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive back Patrick Peterson watches quarterback Carson Palmer drop back to pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

The offense starts a play during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Running back Stepfan Taylor during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive back Patrick Peterson chats with receiver Larry Fitzgerald during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Robby Toma makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Kerry Taylor waits for the ball to arrive during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Carson Palmer talks with receiver Michael Floyd during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Running back Rashard Mendenhall runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu watches during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

The offense huddles up during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Offensive linemen Bobby Massie and Paul Fanaika get set during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Ryan Lindley drops back to pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu picks off a pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald receives instruction from head coach Bruce Arians during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Robert Gill runs by defensive back Tyrann Mathieu during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Michael Floyd tries to keep his balance during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald runs by Patrick Peterson after making a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Running back Andre Ellington begins to run a route during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive backs in between drills during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Michael Floyd tries to get open against defensive back Patrick Peterson during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive back Antoine Cason falls on receiver Kerry Taylor during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Michael Floyd makes a catch in the corner of the end zone during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Jaron Brown tries to make a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Head coach Bruce Arians chats with defensive back Tyrann Mathieu during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Linebacker Sam Acho tries to pressure QB Carson Palmer as tackle Eric Winston blocks during Arizona Cardinals training camp Tuesday, Aug. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

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