Kent Somers

azcentral sports

First, the disclaimer.

*Cardinals rookies have been in town three days. They have not worn helmets or pads yet.

That said, receiver John Brown, a third-round pick out of Pittsburg State, has exceeded expectations.

"John Brown is blowing everyone away," a team source said. "Explosive and sudden. Great hands and a better route runner than we even thought."

Media members have not been allowed to watch workouts yet.

Brown is accustomed to making a great first impression. The first time he touched the ball at Pittsburg State, in 2011, he returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown.

"I'm just a person who plays fast," Brown said on Thursday. "When I got in the East-West Shrine Game I showed them that I can play with speed. I think it will be faster here, but I think I will adjust real quick."

Brown took a circuitous route to the NFL. Out of high school in Homestead, Fla., he attended Mars Hill University, a Division II school in North Carolina. An academic problem forced him to miss the 2009 season and he then transferred to Coffeyville (Kan.) Junior College.

It didn't have a scholarship for him, so he missed a second consecutive season. Pittsburg State started recruiting him and offered a full scholarship.

"I've always had a chip on my shoulder — a point to prove since I was little," Brown said. "They told me I wasn't going to be able to play varsity (high school). They told me I wasn't going to start in college and they told me I wouldn't make it to the NFL. I still feel like I have a chip on my shoulder."

Brown finds motivation from the tragic death of an older brother, who was shot in the summer of 2010 and died about nine months later.

"It just made me a better man, just seeing the stuff I had to see with my brother," Brown said. "(He) put up a fight for nine months before he passed. It taught me a lesson that no matter how hard things get, you can't give up."

Three rookies sign

The Cardinals signed three draft picks to four-year deals, the team announced on Thursday.

The Cardinals do not release contract figures, but according to overthecap.com, the contracts signed should be worth the following:

Tight end Troy Niklas, the second round pick: $1.25 million signing bonus, $4 million total value, $731,500 2014 cap figure.

Defensive end Kareem Martin, a third-round selection: $568,000 signing bonus, $2.85 million total value, $562,000 cap number.

Brown, also a third-rounder, $543,000 signing bonus, $2.8 million total value, $556,000 cap number.

Scouting changes

Six Cardinals scouts received promotions, and two more received new assignments, the team announced.

Malik Boyd, the team's western regional scout, is now the assistant director of pro scouting. Chris Culmer, an area scout, replaces Boyd. Luke Palko, an area scout, was promoted to eastern regional scout.

Chris Canty will scout the Northeast after working as the team's representative for the National Football Scouting Service. Glen Fox, a scouting assistant, was promoted to pro scout, and Darius Vinnett, a scouting assistant, is the NFS representative.

In addition, Josh Scobey moves from being a pro scout to an area scout in the West. John Richter will evaluate the Southeastern part of the country.