The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up their second week of voluntary OTAs (organized team activities) on Friday. This week was the first week for several of the veteran players on the team to show up. Starting right tackle Kelvin Beachum was among those players to wait until this week to report for voluntary work.
He spoke with reporters on Wednesday after his first day of practice.
Since he is one of the veteran leaders on the team, he was asked about two of the Cardinals’ draft picks, offensive linemen Lecitus Smith and Marquis Hayes. Smith was drafted in the sixth round and Hayes in the seventh.
“I have no idea who they are,” he said. “I’m just being frank.”
It makes sense, as he has not been in the building during the voluntary part of the offseason, opting to spend more of the offseason with his family and working out on his own.
Being that he spoke to reporters right after practice, it is quite possible he has not even had a chance to meet them and even say hello. Beachum runs with the starters, while both Smith and Hayes are at the back of the line for practice and drill reps.
He said he would be able to give more information later.
“The pads will come on at State Farm Stadium,” he said. “When that process takes place, I’ll be able to give you a better assessment.
“Right now, we just got back, I’m making new friends.”
Now it is the end of the week, he likely knows who Smith and Hayes are. But because in OTAs and minicamp, practices are without pads, there is no way to know whether the rookies at the line of scrimmage look good or not.
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