The Arizona Cardinals will have to get their roster down to 53 players, a mix of releasing players, placing players on different reserves and lists, and perhaps they have a trade or two coming.
The preseason is over and now roster choices and strategies begin.
Based on what we know and have seen, here are some final roster projections for the Cardinals.
Quarterback
- Kyler Murray
- Clayton Tune
Desmond Ridder being in concussion protocol might complicate this. If he has not been cleared, they might need to carry him for a few days until he is.
Running back
- James Conner
- Trey Benson
- Emari Demercado
- DeeJay Dallas
- Michael Carter
I don’t know how they will handle five backs on the roster. Perhaps they will deal one player, but it appears they don’t want to get rid of these guys.
Wide receiver
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Michael Wilson
- Greg Dortch
- Chris Moore
- Zach Pascal
- Xavier Weaver
Zay Jones will be on the suspended list and not count toward the final 53. Weaver has done enough to make the team. Pascal makes it because of Jones’ suspension.
Tight end
- Trey McBride
- Elijah Higgins
- Tip Reiman
They would like to keep Travis Vokolek but won’t be able to keep him on the 53. The practice squad will be the goal for now. If he gets claimed, Blake Whiteheart and Bernhard Seikovits will end up there.
Offensive line
- Paris Johnson
- Evan Brown
- Hjalte Froholdt
- Will Hernandez
- Jonah Williams
- Kelvin Beachum
- Isaiah Adams
- Jon Gaines
- Elijah Wilkinson
Christian Jones probably will land on injured reserve and lose the season with the leg injury he sustained. That is a bummer because they probably would have preferred that he can be on the practice squad.
Defensive line
- Justin Jones
- Bilal Nichols
- Roy Lopez
- L.J. Collier
- Dante Stills
- Khyiris Tonga
Darius Robinson will start the season on injured reserve, which opened the door for Tonga. Everyone else was a lock.
Outside linebacker
- Zaven Collins
- Dennis Gardeck
- Xavier Thomas
- Cameron Thomas
- Victor Dimukeje
- Jesse Luketa
Luketa still manages to find his way on the roster.
Inside linebacker
- Kyzir White
- Mack Wilson
- Krys Barnes
- Owen Pappoe
- Markus Bailey
This room has stayed the same the entire offseason. Bailey’s play on special teams basically gives him the spot Zeke Turner used to have.
Cornerback
- Sean Murphy-Bunting
- Garrett Williams
- Starling Thomas
- Max Melton
- Kei’Trel Clark
I am guessing that Elijah Jones’ ankle injury might land him on injured reserve, at least for roster purposes. We will see if he ends up being a designated to return player.
Safety
- Budda Baker
- Jalen Thompson
- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
The fourth spot could go to Joey Blount, Andre Chachere or Darren Hall. Hall’s injury might mean injured reserve. But for now, that fourth spot will be addressed later.
Specialists
- Matt Prater
- Blake Gillikin
- Aaron Brewer
If the Cardinals want to get fancy, they could cut Brewer because, as a vested veteran, he is not subject to waivers. They can sign him to the practice squad and elevate him for Week 1 while they figure out other spots on the roster. So watch out for that. He will be on the team and will play, but they could use his roster spot initially to keep an extra player.
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