Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in offseason work a year ago.

The Cardinals are champing at the bit for the start of 2016, and now they know when the journey to the regular season will begin. The team announced its offseason dates on Tuesday, beginning with the start of the strength and conditioning program on April 18.

The workouts are voluntary, but most of the roster generally shows up. The Cardinals were displaced to the team's practice bubble due to training facility renovations last offseason, and will now get the benefit of using all of the amenities.

Here is the schedule for the next few months:

-- The offseason strength and conditioning program begins on April 18.

-- The NFL draft will be held from April 28-30. The team will have a draft party on the first day of the draft at University of Phoenix Stadium.

-- Rookie minicamp will be held from May 6-8.

-- OTAs will run May 17-19; May 24-26 and May 31-June 3. Helmets are allowed, as is offense vs. defense.

-- Minicamp will be held from June 7-9.

Minicamp marks the end of the offseason program, and the players will then recharge before training camp and the start to 2016. Minicamp is the only mandatory program for the veterans.

The Cardinals will host their annual charity golf tournament on April 20 at Whirlwind Golf Club.