The Arizona Cardinals just brought in four linebackers for a workout, and get this: one of them, Chris Paul, Jr., was actually on our very own Seattle Seahawks practice squad not too long ago. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort is clearly on the hunt for some specific linebacker help, and it looks like he is laser-focused on beefing up their special teams unit, just in case any of their current guys get dinged up.
Why the Cards Are Kicking the Tires on Our Old PS Guy
Ossenfort isn’t just window shopping; he’s looking for serious special teams firepower. All four linebackers brought in play the same position, and it’s not because someone on their current roster got released or showed up on the injury list. Nope, they are actively looking to upgrade. Chris Paul, Jr. is definitely an interesting name in that mix. He’s 6′-1″, 235 pounds, and ran a 4.63 40. The Los Angeles Rams drafted him in Round 5 back in 2025 out of Arkansas and Ole Miss. After the Rams cut him on their last cutdown, we picked him up for our Seahawks practice squad just two days later. He was later waived from IR with an injury settlement on August 31. His history shows he knows the grind, and the Cardinals must see something in that journey, especially his special teams potential.
Who Else Is In the Mix For Arizona’s Special Teams Reinforcements?
Beyond Paul, Jr., the Cardinals also checked out Jacob Roberts, Marte Mapu, and Kobe King. Roberts, an undrafted guy from Wake Forest in 2024, played two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL, bagging 4 defensive tackles and a stout 10 special teams tackles last year. He eventually signed a reserve/futures deal with the Vikings but was a last-day cut with a 4.68 40 time. Then there’s Kobe King, a sixth-round pick for the Vikings in 2025. He played five games, all on special teams, with 4 tackles before landing with the Jets where he added 6 more special teams tackles. King ran a 4.63 40. Marte Mapu, a 26-year-old third-round pick by the Patriots in 2023, is probably the most experienced name on the list. He played three seasons with New England before being traded to the Texans this spring and was waived/injured in late August. Mapu has 44 NFL games under his belt, 10 starts, and a solid 255 special teams snaps last season, clocking a 4.59 40. It is pretty clear what Ossenfort is after: guys who can cover punts and kickoffs and are known for making those critical open-field tackles.
What this all means is the Cardinals are trying to get tougher where it counts, especially on special teams. Bringing in a guy like Chris Paul, Jr., who was on our squad, shows they are digging deep for talent. They’re clearly prioritizing those hard-nosed special teams players, and it’s going to be interesting to see if any of these workouts translate into a roster spot down in the desert. You know every team has to respect that special teams game, and it looks like Arizona is about to ramp theirs up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Revenge of the Birds.
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