With training camp kicking off this week at State Farm Stadium for the Arizona, we move to the defense in our position previews. We begin with the defensive line, a group that began the offseason with little experience.
See who is on the roster, what questions and expectations face the group, as well as the outlook at roster battles there will be.
The players
- Zach Allen: He is a rookie, drafted in the third round.
- Sterling Bailey: He is still considered a first-year player in the league and enters his first year with the Cardinals but has bounced around the league on practice squads since 2016.
- Michael Dogbe: He is a rookie, drafted in the seventh round this year.
- Darius Philon: He enters his fifth NFL season and first with the Cardinals.
- Miles Brown: He is an undrafted rookie.
- Rodney Gunter: He enters his fifth season in the league and with the Cardinals.
- Terrell McClain: He enters his ninth NFL season and first with the Cardinals.
- Robert Nkemdiche: He enters his fourth season in the league and with the team.
- Corey Peters: He enters his 10th season in the league and fifth with the Cardinals.
- Vincent Valentine: He enters his third season in the league and second with the Cardinals.
The questions
Perhaps the biggest question is related to Robert Nkemdiche. How much longer will he be on the roster? He is coming off an ACL injury and begins training camp on PUP. He likely will begin the season on PUP as well, which means he will not count against the roster for at least six weeks.
However, another big question is whether the unit can bounce back and improve on the league’s worst run defense a year ago.
Can Rodney Gunter follow up his career year in 2018 in a 4-3 defense with another good season but in a 3-4 scheme?
Can Corey Peters continue to produce in his 10th season?
Will third-round pick Zach Allen make an impact as rookie?
The expectations
The expectation for the whole defense is to be a top-10 unit again. That starts up front. The team expects steady production from Peters and free agent signing Darius Philon. They expect Allen can make some contributions.
The roster battles
While the starting lineup looks set with Peters, Philon and Gunter, we should expect to see Allen compete with Gunter for the starting lineup.
Beyond that, assuming the veteran Terrell McClain has a spot fairly secure on the roster, Michael Dogbe, Vincent Valentine, Sterling Bailey and Miles Brown are all battling for one or two roster spots.
The outlook
Roster locks: Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Darius Philon, Zach Allen
Expected to make the team: Terrell McClain
On the bubble: Michael Dogbe, Sterling Bailey, Miles Brown
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