The Arizona Cardinals have played one preseason game. Aside from Marvin Harrison Jr., none of the projected starters played. Without the starters, we got to see players battling for roles and roster spots.
Training camp is now over and they have joint practices and another preseason game this week. We are still a couple of weeks away from the final roster cutdown date but we know a little more about what the 53-man roster might look like.
Based on what we have seen in camp and in the first preseason game, here are some new 53-man roster projections
Quarterback
- Kyler Murray
- Clayton Tune
After Tune’s performance on Saturday, combined with the fact that Desmond Ridder has looked far from impressive in the offseason and preseason, Tune gets the edge.
Running back
- James Conner
- Trey Benson
- Emari Demercado
- DeeJay Dallas
Michael Carter played well on Saturday and deserves to be on an NFL roster. However, these four guys are all locks to make the team. Only an injury will affect this group.
Wide receiver
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Michael Wilson
- Greg Dortch
- Zay Jones
- Chris Moore
- Xavier Weaver
Moore probably still has an edge and has $750,000 in guaranteed money committed to him this year. Weaver has return and special teams upside and looked good on offense. Sixth-round pick Tejhaun Palmer is going to have a tough route to the roster.
Tight end
- Trey McBride
- Elijah Higgins
- Tip Reiman
While they probably would prefer to keep four, that might not be possible with other positions needing extra for guys they don’t want to lose. Travin Vokolek might be in the lead for the fourth spot or it might be Blake Whiteheart, but one of them likely makes it to the practice squad.
Offensive line
- Starters: Paris Johnson, Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Will Hernandez, Jonah Williams
- Backups: Jon Gaines, Kelvin Beachum, Isaiah Adams, Elijah Wilkinson
There is only room for nine linemen. Christian Jones has to make it to the practice squad and Trystan Colon doesn’t make the team, Brown and Gaines give the Cardinals two other centers. Gaines, Adams and Wilkinson all play guard. Beachum and Wilkinson can play tackle.
Defensive line
- Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Roy Lopez, Darius Robinson, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills
Six is probably all they can keep, which means Kyiris Tonga doesn’t make the cut.
Outside linebacker
- Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Xavier Thomas, Victor Dimukeje, Cameron Thomas
We very likely will see a veteran signing, but there is no guarantee. Cameron Thomas adds some positional versatility to play inside and out. Jesse Luketa will be a tough cut.
Inside linebacker
- Kyzir White, Mack Wilson, Krys Barnes, Owen Pappoe, Markus Bailey
It feels like this group is set. Wilson adds some edge presence so Barnes might play some.
Cornerback
- Sean Murphy-Bunting, Garrett Williams, Max Melton. Starling Thomas, Elijah Jones, Kei’Trel Clark
Once again, it is going to be hard to keep fewer than six on the roster.
Safety
- Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Joey Blount
It appears Blount is ahead of Andre Chachere right now and he is the stronger special teams guy. Darren Hall is a guy to watch. He played great on Saturday. He plays safety and can cover the slot.
Specialists
- Matt Prater, Blake Gillikin, Aaron Brewer
There hasn’t been enough to say Joe Shimko will supplant Brewer yet.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.