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Arizona Cardinals training camp: CB Elijah Jones showing 'major growth'
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- Arizona Cardinals training camp: CB Elijah Jones showing 'major growth'
The Arizona Cardinals will have a tough competition in training camp at cornerback. 2025 second-round pick Will Johnson probably is entrenched as a starter on one side and Sean Murphy-Bunting appears to be the solid starting nickel corner, at least until Garrett Williams is fully recovered from a torn Achilles. But the other starting boundary job and the depth spots on the roster are very much up for grabs.
Most probably would say that 2025 fifth-round pick Denzel Burke , 20024 second-round pick Max Melton and Star Thomas are the ones battling for that job.
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However, one guy could be a surprise — 2024 third-round pick Elijah Jones .
His rookie season was lost on injured reserve. Last season, he played a little bit, getting 37 defensive snaps and 68 on special teams. He had three tackles and two pass breakups.
This offseason, according to defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, Jones has had "major growth."
"I think the biggest growth I saw was in the offseason program," Rallis said on Saturday. "You just saw a comfort level. What I love about his game right now is he doesn't get sped up. So what I mean by that is, off of the releases or whether he's playing off, just those first five yards are pivotal for a corner to be in good position throughout the down. And he has multiple ways that he can get up there and press right now that he's very comfortable with. And he just never finds himself sped up later in the down. And then from there, like if you're in a good position, he's got length, he's got speed, he's got ability to disrupt the football, like let it loose. So, you know, excited where he's trending."
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With Melton, Thomas and Burke all seemingly ahead of him, Jones has his work cut out for him, but his length and athleticism are intriguing, and maybe this is the year he puts it all together.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals training camp: CB Elijah Jones showing 'major growth'
