Arizona Cardinals receivers making Bruce Arians’ decision a tough one

Aug 30, 2013, 3:50 PM | Updated: 3:51 pm

At the beginning of training camp last month, one of the big questions surrounding the Arizona Cardinals was who would fill out the receiving corps behind the trio of Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd.

After four preseason games, that question remains — and it’s not for a lack of qualified candidates.

“That’s going to be the toughest one right now,” head coach Bruce Arians told Paul Calvisi and Bertrand Berry on the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network. “Special teams will tell the tale of the tape on that.”

There are four candidates vying for two or three spots, and all of them have made an impression in the preseason.

Jaron Brown, an undrafted rookie from Clemson, caught 11 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard strike from Ryan Lindley in Thursday’s 32-24 win over the Denver Broncos.

Also in the mix are veteran Mike Thomas, who signed during camp after getting cut by Detroit, undrafted rookie Charles Hawkins and former ASU receiver Kerry Taylor.

“Jaron Brown had made a nice couple plays, he’s played extremely well the whole preseason on special teams,” Arians said. “Mike Thomas is stepping in and making plays, Kerry Taylor makes plays — it’s going to be a tough decision at wideout.”

All four candidates have played numerous snaps on special teams in the preseason.

Arians said he feels that 48 spots on the roster are locked up, but it’s the last handful that he, his coaching staff and general manager Steve Keim will deliberate on before the roster is trimmed Friday afternoon.

Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos quarterback Zac Dysert warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) A youngster reaches to shake the hand of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams (34) drives for a touchdown during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos defensive end Quanterus Smith (69) tries to stop Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams (34) during a running play in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Kerry Taylor is knocked off his feet by Denver Broncos cornerback Kayvon Webster (36) after a reception during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler calls a play during the during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Denver Broncos wide receiver Tavarres King is tackled by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) after a reception during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos' Matt Prater (5) kicks an extra point as teammate Britton Colquitt holds for him during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos running back Jeremiah Johnson (37) drives for a first quarter touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (31) tries to stop him during a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Kerry Taylor is knocked off his feet by Denver Broncos cornerback Kayvon Webster (36) after a reception during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos wide receiver Tavarres King is tackled by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) after a reception during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Denver Broncos wide receiver Gerell Robinson (10) catches a pass as Arizona Cardinals' Javier Arenas defends during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) slips away from Denver Broncos defensive back Aaron Hester (40) on a 55-yard touchdown reception during the third quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) pulls in a 55-yard touchdown pass as Denver Broncos defensive back Aaron Hester (40) tries to defend during the third quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Denver Broncos Tavarres King (15) celebrates with running back Jacob Hester (22) after he scored on a seven-yard run in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Arizona Cardinals running back Stepfan Taylor (30) scores a touchdown against Denver Broncos cornerback Kayvon Webster (36) and Ross Rasner (41) during the fourth quarter of a pre-season NFL football game on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. Arizona beat Denver 32-24. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Mike Thomas (7) is congratulated by teammates after catching a 13-yard pass during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. The Cardinals beat the Broncos 32-24. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney) Denver Broncos head coach John Fox, left, shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians following a pre-season NFL football game on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Denver. Arizona beat Denver 32-24. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Arizona Cardinals

Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
1 day ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
1 day ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins trade talks heating up, per report

Interested teams in Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins are ramping up, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
1 day ago
Zach Pascal #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with WR Zach Pascal, QB David Blough

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal and QB David Blough on a two- and one-year deal, respectively, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals receivers making Bruce Arians’ decision a tough one