Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals: 5 players who could surprise

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rodney Gunter (95) against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals are loaded with talent but have five players who could be better than advertised

The Arizona Cardinals for the most part are carrying the same roster in 2016 as they did in 2015. They are carrying seven rookies however.

There are some players though from last year’s roster though that started showing improvement but still left work to do to take it to the next level. Of the 53 players on the roster, 25 of them are at three years or less experience.

These five players we look at here are on the verge of doing something special. They are already good players otherwise they wouldn’t be on the 53-man roster, a roster mind you that may be the most balanced from top to bottom in the NFL.

The Cardinals didn’t show much on either side of the ball in preseason but preseason is a different beast. A couple of these players did show something in the preseason that does leave fans wanting more of what they saw.

Nov 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) celebrates his third quarter touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Browns 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Troy Niklas

The tight end seemed like an afterthought after getting injured in his rookie season. His production didn’t really catch eyes until last season.

Niklas caught his first two touchdowns last season, both in the same game against the Cleveland Browns. He showed he was more than just a blocker.

Niklas was originally drafted out of Notre Dame for his blocking ability however as we saw especially in this past preseason, he can be a force in the offense.

He caught a couple of really nice balls in the preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders, almost fighting for a touchdown after a catch and run. Look for him to get a lot more targets this season.

Although he is officially listed as the number three tight end on the depth chart, I see the Cardinals utilizing their tight ends a lot. It would explain the reason in filling their practice squad with two tight ends out of the 10 slots available.

May 6, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Marqui Christian (25) during rookie minicamp at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Marqui Christian

Christian, out of small school Midwestern State, played anything but small in the preseason for the Cardinals. Christian has 16 tackles in the preseason, twice leading the team in tackles.

Christian is a smaller-sized safety, the kind the team said they may want to stay away from in the future after getting beat time after time in the playoffs last season.

However, once again he doesn’t play small. He plays hard and is a hard hitter. Don’t let his frame fool you. Although at 5’11 196, he can still sting another player.

Christian will be a backup as things get going in the regular season but may see extended playing time early depending on the status of Tyrann Mathieu.

He proved, at least in the preseason, that is makes no matter what school you attended. If you come to the NFL and can do the job, that’s all that matters.

Aug 19, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Williams

When Williams was drafted, some experts thought it was a nice selection for the Cardinals, however they saw him as a two or three year project. He wasn’t ready.

Although he experienced some growing pains and will continue to do so from time to time, he showed he is a player that can quickly make you forget those were here before him. By the time camp was in progress, coach Bruce Arians made a bold statement.

He said that Williams is the starter and it was his to lose. Presumed starter Justin Bethel re-aggravated his injured foot just before camp opened. Williams took full advantage.

It is rare for Arians to deep a rookie a starter that early in camp or even at all. Williams however was told the job was his to lose and is still holding it the first week of the 2016 season.

July 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) runs with the ball during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charlie Kaijo/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK

Jaron Brown

Brown was a guy I honestly didn’t think would be around at this point. After a 2015 season where he virtually disappeared, saving for one good game in Seattle, he was in competition with several other receivers that easily could have made the 53-man roster.

Brown though didn’t bat an eye. From the time training camp starter, he was in full control of his destiny. He made great catches in camp and made his presence known in the preseason games.

Brown ended up solidifying the number four receiver slot quickly and smoothly. He beat out guys like Brittan Golden and Jaxon Shipley. Early on some believed one of those two would be on the active roster and not Brown.

Now it is time for Brown to take to the field and show his talents on a consistent basis. I believe he will do just that. Look for him to put up career numbers in 2016.

Nov 15, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Rodney Gunter (95) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Arizona defeated Seattle, 39-32. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Rodney Gunter

We already know Gunter is a beast. He started really coming on as the season progressed in 2015.

When he was drafted in 2015 out of Deleware State, few knew who he was. It was difficult to even find a photo of him laying around.

Fast forward to 2016, Gunter enters his second season in the NFL. His name was called several times in the preseason. Fans are going to hear a lot more from Gunter this year.

It would not be surprising to see Gunter finish in the 5-10 sack range in 2016. He had just one sack in 2015 to go with his 19 tackles. Gunter will again prove why he was a steal in the 2015 NFL Draft. At 6’5 305, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

With other guys like Calais Campbell and Chandler Jones seeing more double teams, this could free Gunter up. Only big things ahead for this young man.