Monti's Draft Picks Who Should Be 2026 Starters and Key Role Players


By Walter Mitchell

Starting Caliber:

LT Paris Johnson Jr.



RG Jon Gaines II



TE Tip Reiman (12/13 personnel)



WR Michael Wilson



WR Marvin Harrison Jr.



DT Walter Nolen III



DE Darius Robinson (Coach Kwiatkowski Special)



LB Cody Simon



CB Elijah Jones



CB Will Johnson



FS Dadrion Taylor-Demerson



Key Role and/or Special Teams Players

G Isaiah Adams

C/G Hayden Conner

DE Dante Sills

LB Owen Pappoe

OLB Jodan Burch

CB Max Melton

CB Denzel Burke

S/CB Garrett Williams

S Kitan Crawford

Time to Prove It

RB Trey Benson

T Christian Jones

WR Tejhaun Palmer

OLB B.J. Ojulari

CB Kei'trel Clark

CB Jaden Davis

Opinion:

Impressive but largely underdeveloped talent ---> stronger coaching needed.



Comments

  1. RedrunApril 3, 2026 at 6:55 AM

    "Impressive but largely underdeveloped talent ---> stronger coaching needed."

    The mantra of most Cardinals teams of old and new alike...

    Some of your key role players (e.g. O Pappoe, G Williams, I Adams, M Melton) might be considered as prove-it years. All have flashed why they belong.

    While most (if not all) of the starting caliber players could be considered as under-performing and needing more consistency to their game. You're still higher on E Jones then N Rallis believes (rightly or wrongly), so I think E Jones needs to prove it and leave no doubt about his role.

    I would say most of your prove it players are 'cut/trade candidates'

    ReplyDelete

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