In the 17-13 win the Arizona Cardinals had Thursday night over the Los Angeles Chargers, some players saw their stock rise while others saw their stock fall. Who improved their chances of making the team or of winning a job?
Trent Sherfield
The 2018 undrafted rookie made his name known by his coaches a year ago. He is doing it again and appears to be cementing a place on the roster for himself. He led the team with four catches for 44 yards. He had the biggest play of the game with his 22-yard touchdown catch. Playing on special teams early on, he got down the field for a tackle of a punt returner before he could get anywhere. He proved his value on offense and on special teams.
Brett Hundley
The roster says he is a lock for the team because he is the only quarterback to have played in the NFL before. However, there are quiet doubts about whether he is good enough to be the backup for the Cardinals. He might have completely silenced those doubts with his play on Thursday. Despite heavy pressure, he was a very effective 10-of-14 for 104 yards and a touchdown. He threw the ball well and ran the two-minute offense effectively, and the throw to Sherfield for the score was beautiful.
Pete Robertson
Robertson is a bubble player who is in what head coach Kliff Kingsbury calls “a dogfight” at outside linebacker. He played well. He had two tackles and a sack. He also picked up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, although the fumble was ruled not to be a fumble after it was reviewed. He is a player to watch in the preseason.
Ricky Seals-Jones
He was quietly more productive than any other tight end in the division not named George Kittle in 2018, but it felt like a disappointment. The Cardinals brought in Charles Clay and Maxx Williams, seemingly pushing him down the depth chart. He played well on Thursday, catching two passes for 28 yards, one of which had a high level of difficulty. He showed good hands, something that was a problem at times last year.
Zane Gonzalez
Gonzalez is another player whose spot on the roster appears secure. There is no other kicker on the team and Kingsbury has spoken very highly of him and the confidence he has in him. However, many doubt the wisdom of having no competition in camp when he has not established himself in the league. He nailed every kick, including a 55-yard go-ahead field goal that would have been good from beyond 60 yards. If that is how he is going to kick this year, they don’t need any competition.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
