As the Arizona Cardinals begin training camp, the battles begin in earnest for spots on the 53-man roster. Some players are locks for the roster. Some are, at best, longshots.
A few are on the bubble, even as camp begins.
Here are the notable Cardinals players who begin camp on the bubble to make the team.
WR Chad Williams
Williams hasn’t done much in two seasons and the team went out and drafted three receivers and signed two others in free agency. Some might say he is unlikely to make the team, but the receiver room has several spots available to fight for so his hopes are not gone. He certainly is, though, on the bubble.
Trent Sherfield
Sherfield worked his tail off last year to make the team as an undrafted rookie and made his way into the playing rotation. However, as noted with Williams, the team invested heavily at the position in the offseason. Sherfield does offer special teams value.
S Rudy Ford
Ford was key on special teams last season but his roster spot became very tenuous as the Cardinals drafted Deionte Thompson in April and then added Jalen Thompson in the supplemental draft. Ford will have to beat out one of the picks or Josh Shaw, who has played for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph before, to make the team.
CB Brandon Williams
With the addition of Tramaine Brock, Robert Alford and Byron Murphy, Williams finds himself battling with other young, physically gifted players like Deatrick Nichols, Chris Jones and Nate Brooks. He has been a core special teams player but he is firmly on the bubble now.
LB Joe Walker
Walker quietly was a very nice addition to special teams a year ago. However, Dennis Gardeck and Zeke Turner both were key on special teams last season as well, and the team also added Tanner Vallejo. With Jordan Hicks and Haason Reddick firmly in the starting lineup, Walker will have to beat out one or two of the other guys.
WR Pharoh Cooper
Cooper was an All-Pro returner in 2017 and then cut by the Rams last year. But with the additions at receiver and the uncertainty as of now who has the early lead in being the team’s returners, Cooper’s spot on the roster is certainly uncertain.
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