The Arizona Cardinals are in the middle of the final phase of the offseason program and have many position battles forming.
With free agent additions and a dozen draft picks, many players find their previous spot on the roster suddenly uncertain.
Five second-year players in particular will have to make an impact in the offseason because of newcomers on the roster.
QB Clayton Tune
The Cardinals traded for Desmond Ridder, which mostly signals the end of Tune as the team’s backup quarterback. He will have to be much better, significantly better than Ridder, to beat him out.
The truth is he is likely competing less with Ridder as with all other young quarterbacks who could get cut and signed to the practice squad, as the practice squad is his likely landing spot in 2024.
RB Emari Demercado
Demercado was a revelation as an undrafted rookie in 2023. He made the team, moved into the backup RB role and then had a solid role as their third-down back.
He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and had two touchdowns on 284 rushing yards. He also had 21 catches.
But the free agent addition of DeeJay Dallas and the drafting of Trey Benson make it hard for Demercado to make the team. His ability to do a lot of things will be key.
OL Jon Gaines
Gaines spent all last season on injured reserve after injuring his knee in the preseason finale. He was slated to be the team’s backup center.
Keith Ismael ended up being that guy. Ismael was re-signed, so was Trystan Colon, who also plays center. They also signed Evan Brown, who has been a starting center for the last two seasons.
Brown is getting a look at left guard, but that is three different players who could back up Hjalte Froholdt.
Gaines will need to remind the coaches why he was drafted.
CB Kei'Trel Clark
Clark started his NFL career as a starter last year but then faded into a reserve role. The Cardinals signed Sean-Murphy Bunting and drafted three cornerbacks. As much as head coach Jonathan Gannon liked Clark coming out of Louisville, he needs to do more to make the roster this year.
CB Starling Thomas
Thomas started seven games for the Cardinals last year after getting claimed off waivers. He was an undrafted rookie last year originally signed and cut by the Lions.
But the addition of Murphy-Bunting and the drafting of Max Melton and Elijah Jones make his spot on the roster very uncertain, like he is battling every corner not named Murphy-Bunting, Williams, Melton or Jones for a single spot on the final 53.
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