The Arizona Cardinals have made their draft picks and have signed undrafted rookies. As ridiculous as it sounds, we can take a look at what the final roster might look months from now.
How many of the rookies make the team? Will there be any surprise cuts because of the rookies?
Here is what I predict will happen, just based on what we know about the roster now.
Quarterback: Kyler Murray, Brett Hundley
General manager Steve Keim said he is open to perhaps adding a veteran to the mix. However, Hundley is now in his fifth year. he has been around for a while. I don’t see them keeping a third QB on the active roster. Charles Kanoff or Drew Anderson, their undrafted rookie addition, are practice squad candidates.
Running back: David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, D.J. Foster, T.J. Logan
With the players they added in the offseason, nothing appears to be set for change. Foster returns from a torn ACL and brings versatility. Logan can hopefully be utilized more with his speed.
Receiver: Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler, Pharoh Cooper, Keesean Johnson
This is going to be a much more competitive room than before. Chad Williams and Trent Sherfield will have a hard time making the squad this year. There is the possibility of adding a seventh receiver but that would seem like a lot at the position. Cooper sticks for his return game. Kevin White appears to be the odd man out.
Tight end: Charles Clay, Ricky Seals-Jones, Caleb Wilson
Kingsbury gushed about Charles Clay after the team signed him. Seals-Jones likely was recruited by Kingsbury. The battle here for the back of the roster will be Wilson, this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, and Darrell Daniels.
Offensive line: D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, A.Q. Shipley, J.R. Sweezy, Marcus Gilbert, Max Garcia, Mason Cole, Korey Cunningham, Joshua Miles
This is going to be tough. Can sixth-round pick Lamont Gaillard make the team? If he does, it probably means either Cole or Shipley does not. The starting lineup is pretty set in stone.
Defensive line: Darius Philon, Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Zach Allen, Michael Dogbe, Vincent Valentine (Robert Nkemdiche on PUP)
Nkemdiche is coming off late-season ACL surgery. He will not likely occupy a roster spot to start the season, leaving one open spot. I think both draft picks make the team and are rotational players. Can an undrafted rookie squeeze onto the roster here, or will someone like Domata Peko get signed later on, as he has worked with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph?
Outside linebacker: Chandler Jones, Terrell Suggs, Brooks Reed, Vontarrius Dora
At the moment, these are the only four guys on the roster at the position. Will others be moved there? Dora’s spot on the roster will be the most tenuous, so that position will be up for grabs for someone else battling to make the team.
Inside linebacker: Jordan Hicks, Haason Reddick, Tanner Vallejo, Zeke Turner, Dennis Gardeck
This is a position a rookie can find a spot. Turner and Gardeck were core special teamers last year and, since the Cardinals retained special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers, it might be hard to unseat them.
Cornerback: Patrick Peterson, Robert Alford, Byron Murphy, Tramaine Brock, Josh Shaw, Brandon Williams
Williams gets to stay on the roster because of Rodgers and special teams. Shaw has been getting practice reps at safety so his versatility will be nice. Brock makes it now because of his experience in the defense.
Safety: D.J. Swearinger, Budda Baker, Rudy Ford, Deionte Thompson
Josh Shaw adds additional depth from the cornerback position. Ford is there for special teams. Hopefully, Thompson’s health doesn’t keep him from making the roster.
Specialists: Zane Gonzalez, Andy Lee, Aaron Brewer
Gonzalez will have to beat out Cole Murphy, but that competition doesn’t look impressive.
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