The Arizona Cardinals’ No. 28 has a longer, if uneven, lineage than most numbers. Elijah Jones holds the current mark, wearing 28 as a cornerback who spent last season on injured reserve and now competes for a roster spot four weeks before the season opener against New Orleans. The countdown highlights a parade of players who carried No. 28 across eras, including Ahmad Rashad in the early 1970s, Justin Bethel, Rashard Mendenhall, and J.J. Arrington, among others. The piece notes there have been no legendary 28s, but several who left meaningful marks—Bethel on special teams and Rashad as a future Pro Bowler after leaving Arizona. The roster glimpse and history create a fresh fantasy lens: a single digit with a surprisingly varied impact across decades of Cardinals football.

Elijah Jones is the contemporary focal point, with the 28 jersey signaling opportunity and a path for fantasy upside if he wins a role in the secondary. The historical roll call also nods to Rashad’s eventual stardom and Bethel’s special-teams durability, illustrating how a number can outgrow its role on one team and carry forward as a thread through an organization’s evolving depth chart. In weekly fantasy projections, No. 28 becomes a curiosity—could Jones or a future 28 wear bring a sleeper bonus, or does the legacy tilt toward the more storied players who wore it previously?

Arizona Cardinal starters produced a potent glimpse of their potential, posting elite first-team rhythm with 7.1 yards per play as Jacoby Brissett steered two scoring drives. Yet Kyler Murray’s troubling ball protection re-emerged with an early interception that underscored the need for safer escapes and better decision-making as the season nears. The Cardinals showcased depth along the line and at wideout, highlighted by strong performances from Emari Demercado and Xavier Weaver, who flashed in the roster battle. Special teams hiccups—fumbles, muffed returns, and a rough start on the opening kickoff—remain a concern even in a win. On defense, Dante Stills and the retooled front offered promising depth, while youngsters like Will Johnson, Max Melton, Xavier Weaver, and Elijah Jones pressed for snaps, tempering the offseason hype with real-world results. The Chiefs came up short offensively, allowing Arizona to squeeze out a 20-17 win before the teams meet again next week. The Cardinals head to Denver riding both optimism and reminders of the discipline still required to turn preseason momentum into regular-season reliability.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for training camp, commencing on July 22, and their focus will be on evaluating players for the upcoming season. A notable name in the second year is cornerback Elijah Jones, drafted in the third round in 2024.

Jones showcased significant potential during his rookie season, but expectations have increased heading into 2025. With heightened scrutiny from the coaching staff and competitive pressure from fellow defensive backs, his performance will be critical. Key questions surround whether he can secure a starting position and adapt to the evolving demands of the secondary.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Elijah Jones is making significant progress as he enters his second NFL season after missing his rookie year due to an ankle injury. Coach Jonathan Gannon has commended Jones's performance in training camp, highlighting his physical abilities and work ethic. As Jones competes for a roster spot, his development will be closely monitored moving forward, particularly considering the depth of talent in the Cardinals' cornerback room.

Drafted in the third round from Boston College, Jones’s athletic prowess was well-recognized even before his injury setback. The organization is keen to integrate him back into the lineup, and training camp will be critical for him to prove he can contribute effectively on defense.