The Arizona Cardinals will kick off training camp on Wednesday, July 24. Then the fun begins for fans as they will be able to see practices and get a feel for who is performing well. Then, the preseason begins and we all can see the players in game action.
But before that all starts, and with some recent roster moves, here is a new set of roster projections before training camp begins.
Quarterback:
Kyler Murray, Brett Hundley
The only way this changes is if the team decides they need to get a different backup. The other two guys on the roster, Charles Kanoff and Drew Anderson, will battle for the practice squad. It is highly unlikely the Cardinals will carry more than two QBs on the roster.
Running back:
David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, D.J. Foster, Dontae Strickland
The back end of this room could be affected by who returns kicks and punts. Foster bounces back from ACL tear and has the versatility to do a lot of things. He can also return kicks. Strickland becomes the undrafted rookie who makes the team on offense.
Wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler, Trent Sherfield, Kevin White, Damiere Byrd
The Cardinals keep seven receivers, so they have to short another position. KeeSean Johnson was a tough guy to keep off the roster. But if Kevin White shows the talent that made him a top-10 pick years ago, his potential does a lot more than what Johnson can do. And Johnson very likely will be a practice squad guy. Sherfield’s road to the league and flashes last season show up again, and his play on special teams makes him valuable. Byrd’s speed and ability to return punts and/or kicks is intriguing.
Tight end
Charles Clay, Ricky Seals-Jones, Maxx Williams
This goes with the assumption that the knee injury Clay has is minor and that his placement on PUP will be short-lived. Clay is the clear No. 1. Williams makes the team, in part, because the Cardinals will need a more traditional tight end for special teams. Ricky Seals-Jones gets the nod over Caleb Wilson, although Wilson probably is a practice squadder.
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
Keeping 10 linemen is a lot but Garcia might not be able to play early on, as he is coming off an ACL tear, and he will have to take a roster spot if he comes off PUP at any time during the preseason. Odhiambo becomes the top backup tackle unless they go out and sign a veteran. Cunningham makes the team over seventh-round pick Joshua Miles. Jeremy Vujnovich is a guy to watch.
Defensive line
Darius Philon, Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Zach Allen, Terrell McClain, Michael Dogbe
There is no real surprise in this group. Dogbe is a guy to watch, as I think he has the potential to make an impact in a reserve role. Vincent Valentine will compete with him for a roster spot.
Robert Nkemdiche will likely begin the season on PUP and will not count against the roster.
Outside linebacker
Chandler Jones, Terrell Suggs, Brooks Reed, Cameron Malveaux
This is a position where the Cardinals might upgrade for the back end of the roster. Three are locks. The final spot will be a battle between Malveaux, Vontarrius Dora and Pita Taumoepenu. Taumoepenu’s play on special teams could bump him past Malveaux.
Inside linebacker
Jordan Hicks, Haason Reddick, Dennis Gardeck, Zeke Turner
Tanner Vallejo could be added to the group as well, but he wouldn’t likely replace any of the guys at the position. He would bump someone at another position off the roster.
Cornerback
(Patrick Peterson), Robert Alford, Byron Murphy, Tramaine Brock, Nate Brooks
Peterson will make the roster but then come off the roster for his six-game suspension. If he has to be on the roster first, this is how the room will look. Once he is officially suspended, there will be a roster spot open. That could mean Brandon Williams returns or it could mean one of last year’s undrafted rookies like Chris Jones or Deatrick Nichols to return. Brooks is the other undrafted rookie this year to impress.
Safety
D.J. Swearinger, Budda Baker, Josh Shaw, Deionte Thompson, Jalen Thompson
The addition of Thompson mixes things up and Rudy Ford’s place on the roster is the cost. Of course, with Patrick Peterson’s suspension, Ford could be brought back or make the team. However, one of the Thompson rookies could also fill that role. Shaw appears to be a lock because of his experience with Vance Joseph and his versatility.
Specialists
Zane Gonzalez, Andy Lee, Aaron Brewer
They are the only guys on the roster. Lee and Brewer are locks. It is possible the Cardinals could sign a guy to replace Gonzalez, but they appear to be confident he is going to be the guy at kicker.
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