Arizona Cardinals: 5 Players that need to break out in 2017

4. Jaron Brown, WR

A position we all thought the Keim would hit on early in this year’s NFL Draft was wide receiver. Players like Mike Williams and Corey Davis were popular picks, but were both off the board by the time Arizona picked at No. 13.

Keim finally pulled the trigger on Grambling’s Chad Williams in the third round. Williams, however, is a bit raw playing against SWAC competition and won’t be ready to contribute right away. So who needs to step up for Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians’ offense?

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Jaron Brown, that’s who. The casual fan isn’t aware of who the “other” Brown is in Arizona’s passing attack as John Brown gets a majority of the spotlight. Jaron has been in Arizona for four seasons now, but the 2016 season was cut short due to a torn ACL.

In four seasons, Brown doesn’t have more than 22 catches, 229 yards and two touchdowns in a single season, with those career highs all coming in 2014. His track record doesn’t convince anyone that he’ll succeed, especially coming off a major injury. But his size is something the Cardinals offense needs.

Brown is the tallest receiver on the roster with exception of Larry Fitzgerald at the top of the depth chart, in addition to guys like Aaron Dobson and a couple undrafted free agents who need a great summer to make the final 53. At 6-2, Palmer needs his size on the outside with Fitzgerald making the move to the slot in certain packages.

It was a big step for Brown in terms of the rehab process surrounding his knee as he participated in individual drills throughout OTA’s (per AZCardinals.com). Continue following his process in the coming weeks.

3. D.J. Humphries, LT

Making the move from right to left tackle in 2017 is third-year pro D.J. Humphries. Considering he couldn’t crack the starting lineup as a rookie in 2015, this is a crucial move for the former first-round selection. And it’s all possible after maturing in Year 2.

As stated previously, the games are won in the trenches starting from the preseason all the way to Super Bowl Sunday. For Palmer to succeed and stay healthy, he needs to stay on his feet. In three starts at left tackle in 2016, Humphries didn’t allow a single sack. In the 10 games he started on right side, he allowed an average of 0.9 sacks per game.

With Humphries moving to Palmer’s blindside, veteran tackle Jared Veldheer is making the move to right tackle, a position he’s never played in his career. Both Humphries and Veldheer will need to hold their own in 2017.