The Arizona Cardinals have their preseason opener Saturday night at State Farm Stadium facing the New Orleans Saints. We know quarterback Kyler Murray will not play in this game or any in the preseason. We don’t expect many other starters to play.
However, there are a number of players we should pay attention to in this first game action of the preseason against an opponent.
Who are they?
QBs Desmond Ridder, Clayton Tune
As the Cardinals only kept two quarterbacks on the active roster all last season, this is a battle for the second spot. Neither has looked great in training camp. Who will stand out in live action?
RB Trey Benson
Benson, a rookie, will likely get extended playing time as we don’t expect James Conner to play. We can see what he has to offer, as it is hoped he can be a productive backup to Conner.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison will play this weekend. We will see how much, though. It might be the first time since the start of training camp that he catches a ball from someone other than Kyler Murray.
TE Elijah Higgins
We don’t expect Trey McBride to play. Higgins started producing late last season. He is only in his second year being a tight end.
OL Isaiah Adams, Jon Gaines, Christian Jones
Not expecting the starters to play, the backups will play significant snaps. Adams and Jones are rookies. Adams is more or less a lock for the roster but we want to see if the promise is there.
Jones is far less certain to make the team. We will get to see him in an island.
Gaines, missed all last season. He is battling for a backup spot on the roster and could be the backup center.
DL Darius Robinson
The Cardinals’ second first-round pick will likely start and get to show off what he can do inside and off the edge. We want to see flashes of greatness.
All the OLBs who play
Since BJ Ojulari got hurt and is lost for the season and we don’t expect Zaven Collins or Dennis Gardeck to play, the Cardinals need to see who can be good rotational guys. Cameron Thomas was promising as a rookie but ended up a healthy scratch the last weeks of the season. Victor Dimukeje had his role diminished last year. Rookie Xavier Thomas has caught the eye of defensive coordinator Nick Rallis lately.
CB Starling Thomas
Thomas is trying to fend off second-round pick Max Melton for a starting job. Melton probably won’t play, as he was hurt most of this past week. Head coach Jonathan Gannon is a big fan of Thomas and he is keeping that cornerback room competitive.
S “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson
The fourth-round rookie will likely get to play a lot as we don’t expect that Budda Baker or Jalen Thompson will get any action. He was an exciting player in college. Can he show it against NFL competition?
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