The Arizona Cardinals now have another week of practice and one preseason game in their belts to evaluate players and move towards assembling a final 53-man roster. Based on what we have seen, here is what it could look like.
There are slight changes to the last set of projections I did last week.
Quarterback
Kyler Murray, Brett Hundley
This doesn’t change and my belief is Drew Anderson will end up on the practice squad, even though Charles Kanoff outplayed him in the preseason opener.
Running back
David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, T.J. Logan, Wes Hills
The back end is where to watch the battles. D.J. Foster has experience and can do a lot of things but did not play particularly well on offense. Hills, the undrafted rookie out of a school called Slippery Rock, played will in the preseason opener and offers size and flexibility.
Wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Trent Sherfield, Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler, KeeSean Johnson, someone currently not on the team
Damiere Byrd has been playing a lot on the outside and offers the potential as a returner, but the fact the Cardinals offered Michael Crabtree a contract means they are looking. Crabtree still might end up coming to the Cardinals so watch for that. However, at this point, I believe they will keep seven receivers and one will be a veteran not currently on the roster.
Tight end
Charles Clay, Maxx Williams, Ricky Seals-Jones
Nothing changes here from last week. However, keep an eye on Darrell Daniels. He could sneak in over Seals-Jones.
Offensive line
D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, A.Q. Shipley, J.R. Sweezy, Marcus Gilbert, Mason Cole, Lamont Gaillard, Korey Cunningham, Rees Odhiambo (Max Garcia begins year on PUP)
The only change here is Garcia doesn’t count on the 53-man roster because he ends up on the regular season PUP. he is coming off a torn ACL he suffered after eight games last season. Instead of Cunningham or Odhiambo, they could bring in someone or seventh-round pick Joshua Miles could make the team.
Defensive line
Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Zach Allen, Terrell McClain, Michael Dogbe, someone not on the team currently
Obviously, things changed with Darius Philon getting arrested and released. Their depth was good before. Now it is less certain. I expect a veteran to be signed like Corey Liuget, assuming he is healthy.
Outside linebacker
Chandler Jones, Terrell Suggs, Brooks Reed, Andre Branch, Pete Robertson
Branch’s addition is new in these projections and a fifth player makes the squad. Robertson has been good in camp and played well in the preseason opener. He is a guy to continue to watch.
Inside linebacker
Jordan Hicks, Haason Reddick, Dennis Gardeck, Zeke Turner, Tanner Vallejo
Five linebackers make it here because of special teams. Vallejo makes the cut this time.
Cornerback
Robert Alford, Tramaine Brock, Byron Murphy, Chris Jones (Patrick Peterson suspended)
Again, Peterson will not count against the 53-man roster. This time, though, they keep only four corners, which allows the extra inside or extra linebacker on the roster.
Safety
D.J. Swearinger, Budda Baker, Josh Shaw, Deionte Thompson, Jalen Thompson
Watch for Jonathan Owens here. He plays in the slot and also was great on special teams against the Chargers. But can he supplant one of the two Thompson draft picks?
Specialists
Andy Lee, Zane Gonzalez, Aaron Brewer
This is unlikely to change at all. And Gonzalez nailed a 55-yard field goal in the preseason opener.
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In all, there are 25 offensive players and 25 defensive players, which is a change over last week.
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