In his introductory press conference after being drafted, Tip Reiman shared his love for nature. On every off day during the season, Reiman would venture off to the Arizona mountains to reflect on his rookie season.
It became a very intentional part of his process.
“I try to have a pretty zoomed out view all the time, and I try to make that a focus so that I could reset well and have a 30,000 foot view while I’m in something, so I can make necessary adjustments,” the tight end said. “That’s why I don’t have to experience the negatives of being too zoomed in for eight months and then be like, ‘Alright, let me take a step back (in the offseason).'”
The Cardinals selected 12 players back in April, the most since the draft was shortened to seven rounds. It was always unlikely every player would see the field, but it’s impressive that nine saw meaningful snaps. The only three to not play was third-round cornerback Elijah Jones (spent the season on Injured Reserve), and sixth- and seventh-round picks Tejhaun Palmer and Jaden Davis (practice squad).
When Reiman looks back on his rookie season, he understood his role once general manager Monti Ossenfort placed the call. In offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s scheme, it’s not a shock to the blocking tight end that he saw 41-percent of all offensive snaps.
“With how I work, I expect to earn a role, but nothing is guaranteed, and especially as a rookie, you don’t always expect to play a ton and really have an important role,” Reiman said. “When I really sit back and look at the impact of the role I was able to earn in this offense, I am very thankful for it.”
Each rookie has had a different journey throughout the 2024 season. Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s was solid with room for improvement. “He was a premier player for us and he’s going to be a premier player for us, and he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet,” coach Jonathan Gannon said.
Defensive lineman Darius Robinson had an unimaginable start, following the death of his mother and a calf injury that sidelined him until Week 13. Cornerback Max Melton saw an increase in playing time as the season went on. Trey Benson flashed at points, as did safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and outside linebacker Xavier Thomas once injuries impacted the room. Christian Jones, a fifth-round pick, did not see action until the final two games of the season.
