The Arizona Cardinals have gone through two weeks of training camp so far and the battles to make the roster have begun. After many practices and a look at the first very unofficial depth chart, here is what the final 53-man roster likely would look like if cuts had to be made now.
Naturally, this comes before the first preseason game so we have yet to see any game action.
Quarterback
Kyler Murray, Brett Hundley
I don’t think this will change at all. They will keep two QBs, not three, and the real battle is which of the two between Charles Kanoff and Drew Anderson makes it to the practice squad. Of course, if Case Keenum were to get cut by the Washington Redskins, Hundley could be replaced.
Running back
David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, T.J. Logan, Dontae Strickland
It is clearly unofficial, but the depth chart has D.J. Foster behind Strickland, an undrafted rookie. Johnson and Edmonds are locks. Logan has had some impressive runs and, as of now, is the starting kick returner. The last spot seems to be the most up for grabs.
Wide receivers
Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella, Damiere Byrd, Trent Sherfield, Hakeem Butler
They keep seven receivers and Kevin White is the odd man out. Johnson has worked his way up. Isabella will play. Butler will make the team. Byrd is still getting first-team reps and can work in the return game. Sherfield plays special teams and is consistent at all the positions.
Tight end
Charles Clay, Maxx Williams, Ricky Seals-Jones
This, of course, expects Clay to come off PUP. The depth chart has clearly been Williams and then Seals-Jones. They likely only keep three at the position and another on the practice squad. Caleb Wilson is probably that guy.
Offensive line
D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, A.Q. Shipley, J.R. Sweezy, Marcus Gilbert, Mason Cole, Max Garcia, Rees Odhiambo, Korey Cunningham. Lamont Gaillard
Shipley probably wins the starting center job. Cole’s ability to play all over the line makes him the primary backup. Garcia is the veteran among the backups. Watch for what happens with Odhiambo in the next few days. He did not practice on Saturday.
Defensive line
Darius Philon, Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Zach Allen, Terrell McClain, Michael Dogbe
A dark horse in this group is undrafted rookie Miles Brown. He can play a true nose tackle. They might keep him on the practice squad. McClain or Dogbe could be bumped in favor of Brown.
Outside linebacker
Chandler Jones, Terrell Suggs, Brooks Reed, Pete Robertson, Andre Branch
The surprise is Robertson. He is listed as an inside linebacker but was an edge defender coming out of college, where he played for Klilff Kingsbury at Texas Tech. He is making an impact and can play special teams.
Inside linebacker
Jordan Hicks, Haason Reddick, Dennis Gardeck, Zeke Turner
Turner is likely a lock for his special teams play. It becomes a matter of whether or not they keep four or five at this position. Hayes Pullard or Tanner Vallejo could be a fifth player here depending on how many others at different positions they keep.
Cornerback
Robert Alford, Tramaine Brock, Byron Murphy, Chris Jones (Patrick Peterson suspended)
Peterson will not count toward the final 53 because he will be suspended and be a roster exemption for the first six games. However, with Budda Baker, Josh Shaw and Jalen Thompson all able to play in the slot, they could only keep for at this position while Peterson is out.
Safety
D.J. Swearinger, Budda Baker, Josh Shaw, Deionte Thompson, Jalen Thompson
This group appears to be pretty set. Jalen Thompson has been working as a gunner on the punt team. Deionte had a pick-six to end the team’s Red & White practice. Shaw was also a gunner and has been a starter while Swearinger has been out.
Specialists
Andy Lee, Zane Gonzalez, Aaron Brewer
There is no competition for any of these guys, though if Gonzalez keeps missing kicks the way he did in Saturday’s practice, that could change.
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