Cardinals have 11 rookies on active roster to begin season

The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for their season opener on the road against the Washington Commanders. They have a vastly different roster. It is quite young.

In fact, of the 53 players on the roster, 11 are rookies. They have seven of their nine draft picks on the 53-man roster (with one on season-ending injured reserve and one on NFI for not). One of their own undrafted rookies made the team. They added three rookies, including two undrafted rookies, to the roster after final cuts via waivers.

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Check out the rookies below.

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OL Paris Johnson

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 11, 2023

Johnson was the Cardinals’ first-round pick. He is their starting right tackle.

LB BJ Ojulari

Arizona Cardinals linebacker BJ Ojulari (18) during organized team activities on June 1, 2023, at Cardinals Dignity Health Training Center in Tempe.

Ojulari was drafted in the second round. He will likely be in the defensive rotation.

WR Michael Wilson

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Wilson was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round and is listed as a starting receiver in Week 1.

QB Clayton Tune

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Tune was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round and might start in Week 1, even though that is considered unlikely.

LB Owen Pappoe

Arizona Cardinals linebackers Kyle Soelle (58) and Owen Pappoe (44) practice in the Cardinals rookie minicamp in Tempe on May 12, 2023.

Pappoe was also draft by the Cardinals in the fifth round. He probably will play special teams only.

CB KeiTrel Clark

 Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals selected Clark in the sixth round of the draft. He is listed as a starting cornerback for Week 1.

DL Dante Stills

 (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Stills made the roster as a seventh-round pick. We will see if he ends up bing active on game days.

RB Emari Demercado

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Demercado made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie out of TCU. He is the Cardinals’ No. 3 running back.

TE Elijah Higgins

Atlanta Falcons defensive back Lukas Denis (41) intercepts a pass intended for tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, August 11, 2023, in Miami Gardens, FL.

The Cardinals claimed Higgins off waivers. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Dolphins but did not make the team. He is now the No. 4 tight end on the roster.

OL Ilm Manning

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Manning was an undrafted rookie who signed with the 49ers. The Cardinals claimed him off waivers and he is listed as their backup left guard.

CB Starling Thomas

Detroit Lions cornerback Starling Thomas V (49) runs by Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Kendric Pryor (14) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field, Saturday, August 19, 2023.

Thomas was an undrafted rookie who signed with the Lions but he didn’t make the team and the Cardinals claimed him. He could play special teams in Week 1.

OL Jon Gaines, CB Garrett Williams

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Gaines is on injured reserve but with the team. Williams is on NFI and could be activated to the 53-man roster at some point.