The Shrine Bowl is approaching, and although some may consider it a lesser college All-Star game, it’s worth noting that the Arizona Cardinals selected several players from it last year, including Dante Stills, Kei’Trel Clark, and Jon Gaines. Additionally, they signed a couple of undrafted free agents who had participated in the game, namely Kyle Soelle, Blake Whiteheart, and Starling Thomas V (although Thomas was later released).
There are various reasons to be interested in this game, including the presence of Cardinals coordinators who will be coaching the prospects and familiarizing themselves with the incoming class. Here are some position groups and players to watch, with particular emphasis on those highlighted in bold with an asterisk.
WRs – EAST TEAM
Anthony Gould from Oregon State, Cornelius Johnson from Michigan, Tejhaun Palmer from UAB, Tayvion Robinson from Kentucky, David White Jr. from Western Carolina, Isaiah Williams from Illinois, and Drake Stoops from Oklahoma are all part of the East team’s wide receiver lineup. Drew Terrell, the East team offensive coordinator, will have a close look at this group. Arizona is in dire need of wide receivers, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they consider selecting one of these players on the third day of the draft to add depth to their team. Despite Isaiah Williams’ impressive statistics of 82 catches and over 1000 yards, his shorter height of 5’10” might prevent him from being on their radar.
Despite his relatively low stats in 2023 (only 34 catches for 519 yards), White Jr. possesses the advantage of height, standing at 6’4″. Similarly, Palmer, who is 6’2″, performed well with over 800 receiving yards and an average of 15 yards per reception. However, the player who should be watched closely is Cornelius Johnson. Not only is he widely recognized, but he also played a crucial role in Michigan’s offense, which heavily relied on running the ball. Additionally, Johnson’s good size adds to his intrigue and it will be interesting to see how he performs in tests. If he can contribute to special teams and showcase solid skills in run-blocking, there is a strong possibility that he will be targeted by Arizona on Day 3 of the draft.
Wide receivers – West Team:
Josh Cephus of UTSA has been outstanding, with impressive stats the past two years, including 87 and 89 catches and 16 touchdowns. Standing at 6’3″, he possesses the ideal size that Arizona looks for in a receiver.
Lideatrick Griffin from Miss St, Jaxon Janke from SD St, Bub Means from Pitt, Tahj Washington from USC, and Malik Washington from Virginia complete the WR group.
Malik Washington had an exceptional season in 2023, but his height (5’8″) might make the Arizona team hesitant. This concern also applies, to a lesser extent, to the other Washington based on his statistics.
With his height of 6’2″ and an impressive average of 17 yards per catch, Bub Means could be an intriguing addition as an undrafted free agent.
However, the WR to watch closely is Josh Cephus, given his exceptional performance at UTSA and the perfect height for Arizona.
Frank Gore Jr, a player from Southern Miss, and Blake Watson, hailing from Memphis, are two interesting running back prospects set to go in the later rounds of the draft.
Gore has garnered attention due to his NFL lineage, but is projected to be chosen on Day 3.
Similarly, Watson is a noteworthy prospect, standing at 6’2″ and weighing 220 lbs. He had an impressive season with over 1,000 rushing yards, similar to Tony Pollard, who emerged from the same school. Furthermore, Watson showcased his versatility by contributing 53 catches.
With his size and adaptable skill set, he could potentially serve as a long-term replacement for James Conner.
OTs Julian Pearl from Illinois, Walter Rouse from Oklahoma, and Caedan Wallace from Penn State are three prospects being evaluated for the upcoming NFL draft. Pearl has been considered a Day 3 pick with potential and athleticism, although some analysts suggest he might be better suited to play as a guard. Rouse, who played left tackle for Oklahoma, may not be as highly sought after as their right tackle Guyton, but he still has potential. Wallace, who played right tackle for Penn State, has caught the attention of the Arizona Cardinals, who are already keeping an eye on their current left tackle. If the Cardinals like Wallace, they may consider him as a potential future right tackle on Day 3, allowing them to move Paris Johnson to the left tackle position.
Christian Mahogany, a player from BC, has been projected to go as high as the second round in some mock drafts. If the Cardinals cannot find a starting left guard in free agency, Mahogany could potentially fill that role.
Karsen Barnhart, hailing from Michigan, was a valuable member of the nation’s top offensive line in 2022, which earned them the Joe Moore award. While he is listed as Michigan’s right tackle, Barnhart has demonstrated versatility by playing multiple positions along the offensive line. As a later-round pick with a solid skill set, he could provide valuable depth for a team.
Although Arizona may not necessarily require someone like Edgerrin Cooper, a linebacker known for his speed and versatility, he could still be a potential option for one of their Round 3 selections.
Leonard Taylor III, a player from Miami (FL), has the potential to be a first-round pick like Tre Flowers was last year. However, some draft analysts have criticized him for being inconsistent in his effort. If Taylor is available at the start of the second round, the Arizona Cardinals might be interested in selecting him because of his immense potential. Evan Anderson, on the other hand, is a large nose tackle who could be drafted later on. The Cardinals may not be seeking a player like him for their defensive front based on their signings last year, but it’s always possible.
Khalid Duke from Kansas State, Jonah Elliss from Utah, and Xavier Thomas from Clemson are all edge rushers who are being evaluated for the upcoming draft. Duke showed promise with six sacks last year and could be a good option on day 3. Elliss had an impressive season with 12 sacks and comes from a family with NFL connections, making him a potential fit for Arizona’s scheme if available in Round 3. Thomas is a larger player but didn’t have as much production, however, his potential as a solid player from a reputable school makes him worth considering in the later rounds of the draft.
Renardo Green, a player from Florida State, has the potential to be a valuable addition to a team looking to enhance its depth. His ability to play both inside and outside positions could make him an attractive pick on Day 3 of the draft. However, some analysts have a different perspective and believe that he is only suited for playing in the slot. Jarrian Jones, on the other hand, was the highest graded defender on Florida State’s defense according to PFF. He also managed to make three interceptions, showcasing his impressive skills on the field.
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