The Cardinals are squeezing in a visit with one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft class before the window for prospects to come to team facilities closes on Wednesday.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Kelvin Banks is meeting with the Cardinals. Arizona has the 16th overall pick in the draft.
Banks was a first-team All-American in 2024 after making the second team for his play at left tackle with the Longhorns in 2023 and he also won the Lombardi and Outland Awards for the 2024 season.
The Cardinals moved 2023 first round pick Paris Johnson from right tackle to left tackle last season. They also have veterans Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum at tackle.
Former NFL tight end Don Hasselbeck died of a heart attack Monday, his son, Matt Hasselbeck, announced on social media. Don Hasselbeck was 70.
“It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our father, Don Hasselbeck,” Matt Hasselbeck wrote. “We want to thank our parents’ neighbors and all the medical professionals who came to his aid.
“He was a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, player, coworker, artist, mentor, and storyteller. Despite being an All-American at Colorado and a Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders, what we are most proud of is the leader he was for our family. He helped set our feet on solid ground. Married to and in love with our mom, Betsy, for 50 years, they built their house on the rock of Jesus Christ. Our dad’s prayer journals, in his meticulous handwriting and in a rainbow of pen colors, hold each of our names and needs. Many of you who have known our father, have been thoughtfully prayed for in the pages of his journals.
“There is a 6’ 7” hole in our hearts. He will be so missed by so many. We are beyond grateful that he was our dad and look forward to Heaven and being all together again.”
The Patriots made Hasselbeck a second-round pick out of Colorado in 1977, and he spent seven seasons with the team. He played most of the 1983 season with the Raiders after a trade from the Patriots, and won a Super Bowl ring. Hasselbeck blocked an extra point attempt in the Raiders’ Super Bowl XVIII win over Washington.
He finished his career with a season with the Vikings (1983) and a season with the Giants (1984).
Hasselbeck played 123 games with 30 starts and made 107 receptions for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Hasselbeck’s sons, Matt and Tim, played quarterback in the NFL.
Patrick Peterson returned to Arizona on Monday to announce his retirement from the Cardinals’ facility and called it a “no-brainer” to make the announcement with the team that took him fifth overall in 2011.
Peterson spent 10 seasons with the Cardinals and made the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons. He was also named a first-team All-Pro three times before moving on to Minnesota and Pittsburgh to finish out his career. Peterson did not play at all in 2024 and said at his press conference that he doesn’t feel like he’s incapable of continuing to play at a high level, but does think the league is looking in other directions for defensive backs.
“I still can play, but I do not want to play. . . . This is a young man’s game now,” Peterson said. “You see all these grays on my chin now. I’m not — quite frankly, at my position, I’m not accepted anymore. I can live with that because at the end of the day, I had a great 13-year career. There’s no regrets. Me and my wife, we talked about this ever since I wasn’t able to be picked up last year. I’m perfectly fine with my decision. I’m very, very happy where I’m at in life and my career. My cement is dry now.”
Peterson said he hopes to move into media or work on helping the Cardinals win a title because he’s “still missing my ring.” That’s about all that’s missing from a football resume that will likely land the cornerback a spot in Canton.
The Browns announced an addition to their 90-man roster on Monday.
They have signed defensive end Julian Okwara. They did not disclose any terms of the deal.
Okwara entered the NFL as a 2020 third-round pick of the Lions and spent his first four seasons in Detroit. He spent the 2024 offseason with the Eagles, but failed to make the team and wound up with the Cardinals.
Okwara appeared in 13 games for Arizona and recorded 18 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass defensed. He had 54 tackles, nine sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his time with the Lions.
Running back Cam Skattebo had a big year to lead Arizona State to the College Football Playoff.
Recently he’s taken a few pre-draft visits with teams as he gears up for the main event next week.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Skattebo has visited with the Cardinals, Browns, and Giants already. He has two more visits lined up with undisclosed teams.
Skattebo, 23, started his college career at Sacramento State, an FCS program. He then transferred to Arizona State in 2023, rushing for 783 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season with the program. He put up 1,711 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in 13 games in 2024, also catching 45 passes for 605 yard with three TDs. He also completed a 42-yard touchdown pass in the playoff loss to the Peach Bowl.
