Arizona Cardinals offseason workouts: Part One

The offseason is real now. The Arizona Cardinals are done with rookie mini-camp, optional camp and mandatory mini-camp and now, it is truly time off before getting into camp.

With the conclusion of offseason camps, every website is going to tell you their “takeaways from the offseason workouts”.

There is always the caveat, it's hard to takeaway anything from workouts with no pads and no hitting, but we're still going to get take aways.

Darren Urban is going to start our look at the different takeaways from offseason workouts and what he took away.

Let's take a look.

SEEING SMOKE MEANS FIRE AGAIN

The health of John Brown is likely to be on every list. It's important and everyone covering the Cardinals knows it. It is important not only for 2017 but beyond. The Cardinals have maybe more questions at the receiver position moving forward than any position group on the team outside of quarterback.

Larry Fitzgerald is on the downside of his career, both Brown's are coming off of injury, J.J. Nelson had a career year but it was what you want out of a low end third receiver and Chad Williams is a rookie.

Brown playing well gives the Cards an opportunity to re-sign him, ease the transition from Fitzgerald and keep the Cardinals receiving corps as a strength of the team.

ROBERT NKEMDICHE HAS A CHANCE

Honestly, he better. There's not much more to it than that. If Nkemdiche isn't good, it will mean two first round picks were busts for the Cardinals, it means they couldn't replace Calais Campbell and it means they have to reinvest in defensive line… again.

HAASON REDDICK CAN BREAK THE NO. 1 PICK ROOKIE DROUGHT

This is one of the most interesting revelations to me. If Reddick and Deone Bucannon man the middle that is great, it means Bucannon took the next step, means Reddick made the move quickly.

If Reddick takes over and Bucannon becomes LB3 behind Reddick and Karlos Dansby, a whole other can of worms opens up.

BRITTAN GOLDEN SHINES, UNDERSCORING RECEIVER BATTLES

Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson…

From there, questions. Is it Chad Williams, is it Jaron Browns, what about Krishawn Hogan, Larry Clark, Marquis Bundy or Aaron Dobson?

The name coming out of OTA's, Brittan Golden. Golden knows the offense, he knows his role and he knows he has to out work everyone not at wide receiver, but on special​ teams.

These other guys have to know that they're fighting for a wide receiver four or five spot. They better be putting work in on specials.

ELIE BOUKA MOVED TO THE TOP FIELD, AND YOU COULD SEE WHY

People I know and trust think Bouka could be a dark horse candidate to be a play making starter in the NFL. He was a freak of nature athletically and has good ball skills. His health has been an issue, but he seems to be healthy and making plays when asked too. Bouka could be the name to remember heading into camp.

KERWYNN WILLIAMS HAS PUT ANDRE ELLINGTON ON THE BUBBLE

We talked about this, the move back to running back for Ellington means only one of two things. If everyone is as happy with Williams as they are saying, Ellington has a long shot to make this roster.

BUDDA'S ABSENCE MAKES SECONDARY ANALYSIS HARDER

No one has ever accused the NCAA of making sense. Baker having to miss camp because of school and finals is one of those rules. Really, nothing to see here.

PALMER IS PALMER, WHICH IS FINE

This is fine.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MORE FUN, BUT THERE IS MORE THAN A HINT OF SALTY

Honestly, that makes me as a fan happy. I want to see this team playing with an edge again, not feeling like they have accomplished anything, because to be honest… they haven't.

What did you get from Urban's takeaways?