They were the final four players drafted by the Cardinals but became the first four draftees to put pen to paper.
On Thursday, wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer, cornerback Jaden Davis, offensive tackle Christian Jones, and linebacker Xavier Thomas signed their first four-year contracts with the Cardinals. Palmer was selected in the round after Thomas and Jones, while Davis, selected with selection No. 226 in the seventh round, completed the Cardinals draft. Pat Tillman was drafted by the Cardinals with selection No. 226 26 years ago.
That leaves eight unsigned draftees of the Cardinals’ massive 12-man class.
Entering college, Thomas was the No. 3 prospect in the 2018 class, only behind quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields and was a few spots above Micah Parsons.
He was an All-American after his first year at Clemson ended. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and despair, Thomas persisted and was selected 138th overall by the Cardinals. He concluded the previous season with three sacks, four tackles for loss, and 25 tackles overall. Rob Rodriguez, the outside linebacker coach, will be in charge of him. Thomas reported that their pre-draft visit went well.
“That’s the kind of coach I would need, that’s the kind of coach I love,” Thomas said after he was selected. “A coach who’s always pushing me to my limit, never lets me get complacent and that’s just the vibe that I get from him in how he would coach me.
The second offensive lineman the Cardinals drafted was Jones out of Texas.
Guard Isaiah Adams was the first lineman, drafted in the third round. Jones is a 6-foot-5 swing tackle with starting experience on both sides of the line.
He likely won’t be a Week 1 starter, but he’ll be able to learn from Paris Johnson Jr., Jonah Williams, and veteran Kelvin Beachum.
“I’m ready to open up a new book and this is just the first page in the book,” Jones stated. “I simply know the Arizona Cardinals are getting a diligent worker, and I want to get started right away. Someone who will always put himself and the organization’s best interests first by arriving early, staying late, and giving it their all.”
Palmer, a 6-foot-1 target out of UAB was the second wide receiver GM Monti Ossenfort drafted after Marvin Harrison Jr. Ossenfort said an impressionable appearance at the East-West Shrine Bowl put Palmer on the Cardinals radar.
He’ll join a room that has had a complete makeover from last season. What once was a unit comprised of Hollywood Brown and Rondale Moore is now headlined by Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch and veteran Chris Moore.
Palmer could potentially separate himself from the pack by using his size to leap up and make contested catches.
When I catch the ball all I see is the end zone,” Palmer said. “I’m a playmaker, I can play inside and outside, I’m competitive and I’m a team player.”
He’ll reunite with his college teammate, cornerback Starling Thomas V.
Davis will now share a room with Thomas V and the other defensive backs. The University of Miami cornerback spent his final collegiate season showcasing his versatility, playing on the outside, inside, and as a safety for a game.
