The Arizona Cardinals have completed two preseason games and are a little more than a week away from having to cutdown the roster down to 53 players. Several spots on the roster are very much up for grabs.
Based on two preseason games, there haven’t been many changes, but here are the latest 53-man roster projections for the Cardinals.
Quarterback
- Kyler Murray
- Clayton Tune
Tune has clearly outplayed Desmond Ridder in the preseason. Neither Tune nor Ridder has been great in camp, but Ridder looks like an odd man out.
Running back
- James Conner
- Trey Benson
- Emari Demercado
- DeeJay Dallas
Michael Carter becomes a tough cut. There’s no good way to keep five backs on the roster.
Wide receiver
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Michael Wilson
- Greg Dortch
- Zay Jones
- Xavier Weaver
- Chris Moore
Weaver seems to have a spot on the roster if they keep six receivers. But the spot up for grabs to me is either Moore or Zach Pascal.
Tight end
- Trey McBride
- Elijah Higgins
- Tip Reiman
If there is a fourth they keep, it will likely Blake Whiteheart because he plays a lot on special teams. But for now, only three fit on the roster.
Offensive line
- Paris Johnson Jr.
- Evan Brown
- Hjalte Froholdt
- Will Hernandez
- Jonah Williams
- Kelvin Beachum
- Isaiah Adams
- Jon Gaines
- Elijah Wilkinson
This group hasn’t changed. Christian Jones isn’t ready and wouldn’t beat out Beachum. Trystan Colon has a shot.
Defensive line
- Justin Jones
- Roy Lopez
- Bilal Nichols
- Darius Robinson
- L.J. Collier
- Dante Stills
This group hasn’t changed. Khyiris Tonga makes it only if they keep seven, which I don’t think they do, especially since Cameron Thomas can line up inside.
Outside linebacker
- Zaven Collins
- Dennis Gardeck
- Cameron Thomas
- Xavier Thomas
- Victor Dimukeje
Cameron Thomas showed up in the preseason game, cementing his spot on the roster, while Dimukeje is a core special team player, even more than Jesse Luketa.
Inside linebacker
- Kyzir White
- Mack Wilson
- Krys Barnes
- Owen Pappoe
- Markus Bailey
The only real question is who gets the last spot for special teams. Bailey is the most experienced there.
Cornerback
- Sean Murphy-Bunting
- Garrett Williams
- Starling Thomas
- Max Melton
- Elijah Jones
- Kei’Trel Clark
As it has been for the last two weeks, Jonathan Gannon will not find it easy to keep fewer than six corners. Bobby Price factors in for special teams.
Safety
- Budda Baker
- Jalen Thompson
- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
- Darren Hall
Hall has been great. He played a little on special teams. Joey Blount is a better player on special teams and Andre Chachere is the more experienced player as safety depth. But Hall is the guy for now.
Specialists
- Matt Prater
- Blake Gillikin
- Aaron Brewer
Brewer still gets the edge over joe Shimko.
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