One key to the Cardinals’ success from 2013-15 was timely and surprising contributions from rookies.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu and running back Andre Ellington made an immediate impact in 2013. In 2014, inside linebacker Deone Bucannon started nine games, and receiver John Brown finished with five touchdowns and nearly 700 yards receiving. A year ago, running back David Johnson set a franchise record for rookies with 13 touchdowns and linebacker Markus Golden led the Cardinals in quarterback pressures.
It’s a trend that appears on its way to ending, unless one of this year’s rookies shows something in the second half of the season that he didn’t in the first.