Receiver Michael Wilson and cornerback Christian Matthew are two early Cardinals standouts this preseason. The early battle shows that despite what could be a dismal season, these two might be a bright spot in 2023.
Wilson, the hard-luck receiver drafted 94th overall in the third round, was injured late in his junior year and early in his senior year at Stanford. GM Monti Ossenfort rolled the dice and looks to have gotten a good deal.
Same for Matthew. He played college football at Georgia Southern, transferred to Samford, and then settled at Valdosta State. While with the Blazers, he tied for fifth in the nation in pass breakups, being named first-team All-Gulf South Conference at season’s end. Since the draft, Mattews has found a way to cut through the noise.
Early Cardinals Standouts
Wilson and Matthew have been getting some first-team reps and have proven to be a great watch.
On the day the Cardinals began to work with pads, head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing got a look at Wilson in man coverage. Against Matthew, it was a good look at how both might work in 2023.
In this clip via Twitter, Wilson could be seen working to get open. In this example, Matthew does not shade his stance to the inside to create inside leverage. Instead, in press coverage, he avoids contact with Wilson. The wide receiver gets a clean release after a poor stiff-arm and executes a solid post route.
Rookie Michael Wilson getting himself wide open
against Christian Matthew at Arizona Cardinals training camp.#BirdGang pic.twitter.com/bXGBfgrxkl
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) August 1, 2023
Wilson utilizes clean footwork to be able to plant his outside foot at the top of the route and burst into the middle of the field. His size brings an element to the offense that Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, and Greg Dortch just don’t possess.
Matthew is likely best in “off-ball” coverage. He is a strong corner who will practice his press techniques. By doing so, he will be able to disrupt timing, making it more difficult to play “off the ball” coverage.
Wilson, Matthew Early Cardinals Standouts
Wilson may end up being a long-term player in Arizona. Injuries aside, had he been allowed the benefit of playing instead of being injured, he probably goes higher in the draft. For the Cardinals, they got a potential standout.
As for Matthew, he has work to do but was an absolute steal in the draft. Seventh-round pick aside, the raw nature of his talent can and should buy him time to develop.
Wish-casting aside, players looking to establish a season of “on-the-job-training” are in the right city with the right franchise. In too many ways, the Arizona Cardinals are not unlike an expansion team. A lot of no-names mixed in with a few veterans will take the field in Washington for Week 1 against the Commanders. Wins may be few, very few, but the beginning of careers may be plentiful. Cornerback Christian Matthew and wide receiver Michael Wilson are two who landed in the right place at the right time. Now, it is up to them to make good on the opportunity.
Main Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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