HEADLINE

Cardinals’ Kingsbury on top pick: ‘Still working through it’

Field Level Media

April 23, 2019 at 10:13 pm.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Tuesday that the team has yet to finalize its plans for the top overall pick in the draft, two days before the first round begins.

“We’re still working through it,” Kingsbury said after his team’s first practice of the year at a voluntary minicamp. “I wouldn’t say the hay is in the barn.”

Quarterback Josh Rosen, who is widely believed to be on the trade block as the Cardinals consider Kyler Murray with the top pick, has been a full participant during the offseason program despite rampant rumors.

“I’ve said it all along, I couldn’t be more impressed with his approach,” Kingsbury said of Rosen, whom the Cardinals traded up to draft 10th overall last year. “He’s a top-10 pick for a reason. You see it (on the field).”

A report on Monday said the Cardinals have fielded trade offers for the top pick. A separate report over the weekend said Murray will not be Arizona’s selection.

However, most still expect the Cardinals to take the Oklahoma star, whom Kingsbury recruited out of high school when he was the head coach at Texas Tech.

Meanwhile, cornerback Patrick Peterson was absent from Tuesday’s practice, and the Arizona Republic reports Cardinals management said something to Peterson that “(ticked) him off.”

The report quoted a source saying the issue isn’t “that big of a deal … yet.”

Kingsbury downplayed Peterson’s absence, saying Peterson had let the team know he wouldn’t be in attendance.

“We know Patrick wants to be here,” Kingsbury said.

Peterson, 28, requested a trade midway through last season but then withdrew the request and voiced his commitment to the Cardinals long-term.

He has eight Pro Bowl appearances in as many seasons since Arizona drafted him fifth overall in 2011, intercepting 23 passes, breaking up 76 and never missing a game. He also has three first-team All-Pro nods.