The Arizona Cardinals open Sunday in Los Angeles with a different kind of pressure on board: the 2024 draft class has hit the third-year checkpoint that turns potential into payroll decisions. According to Arizona Daily Independent and Cronkite News, seven of those 12 selections came in the first three rounds, and the returns so far are mixed.
This is the make-or-break window baked into the NFL's CBA. Fifth-year options for first-rounders and any long-term deals for the rest cannot be decided until after Year 3. Under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, this group's production will help decide who sticks, who gets extended, and who gets replaced.
Marvin Harrison Jr., taken fourth overall, has shown star flashes but not a full breakout. He posted 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, then 41 for 608 and four in 2025 while missing five games with appendicitis and foot injuries. He acknowledged the glare, saying he is focused on his process each day, even as he competes with All-Pro tight end Trey McBride and newly extended receiver Michael Wilson for quarterback Jacoby Brisett's targets, per the reporting.
Darius Robinson, drafted 27th, owns 53 tackles and two sacks across two seasons after a rookie-year calf injury and a pectoral issue in 2025. He remains a listed starter at defensive tackle. "We've only won three games since September. That's terrible. That starts with myself. I'm not who I thought I was," he told reporters in December. Entering Year 3, he said he is pouring work into his weaknesses to translate traits into production.
At 43 overall, Arizona traded down and landed cornerback Max Melton while Cooper DeJean and Kamari Lassiter went 40 and 42 and made the Pro Bowl. Melton tallied 82 tackles and no interceptions in 27 games, battling a concussion, hamstring and heel issues in 2025. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed 26 catches for a 93.0 passer rating last season. He is currently listed as a first-team corner and third-string returner on the latest depth chart.
Running back Trey Benson (No. 66) logged 92 carries for 451 yards and one score across two injury-shortened seasons. After James Conner went down in 2025, Benson suffered a meniscus injury and landed on IR. Following the additions of Tyler Allgeier and rookie Jeremiyah Love, the team waived Benson on Aug. 24; he cleared waivers and remains on injured reserve, per the reports.
Guard Isaiah Adams (No. 71) has 32 games and 16 starts, allowing 23 pressures and two sacks in 2025 according to Pro Football Focus. He was arrested in Canada on July 19 on four weapons charges, then reported to camp. With 2026 second-rounder Chase Bisontis tearing his MCL in the preseason, Adams is listed as the starting right guard entering Week 1.
Tight end Tip Reiman (No. 82) has been a blocker-first piece with nine catches for 55 yards in 21 games. He opens 2026 on reserve/PUP as he rehabs a serious ankle injury and cannot return until at least Week 5, per the reporting.
