In the aftermath of the Arizona Cardinals’ preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers, head coach Mike LaFleur laid bare the realities facing those near the roster cut line.
“You went into it saying if it were to end before this game, here's our 53 and is there anything that some of these guys can do to maybe jump into that conversation,” LaFleur said. “We'll watch the tape and have those on the plane.”
That is not good news for those who played deep into the night against the Packers. For those who exited early, on the other hand, it’s an indication that the Cardinals’ brass wanted to preserve their health ahead of roster cuts on Sunday, Aug. 30.
So with that in mind, here is our final projection for the Cardinals’ 53-man roster.
Offense
Quarterback (3)
Starter:
Jacoby Brissett
Backups: Gardner Minshew, Carson Beck
The only potential twist at quarterback would be if Beck began the season on injured reserve, given that he hasn’t fully practiced in two weeks with his ribs injury. But he’s already progressing in his recovery, and the Cardinals will want to maximize his opportunities in practice after he missed three of four preseason games. This will almost certainly be the final three.
Running back (4)
Starter: Jeremiyah Love
Backups: Tyler Allgeier, Bam Knight, Corey Kiner
When asked this week, LaFleur said it was too early to tell whether James Conner will be ready for Week 1. But Conner has yet to participate in 11-on-11 drills, while Kiner was removed after just two drives against the Packers. At this point, the indications are that Conner may have to start the year on injured reserve. Alternatively, if the Cardinals believe that Conner will be ready early in the season — but not for Week 1 — they could go with the unusual move of rostering five running backs as a buffer against Conner and Love’s lingering injury concerns.
Wide receiver (6)
Starters: Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Kendrick Bourne
Backups: Devin Duvernay, Reggie Virgil, Jalen Brooks
Brooks, who caught four passes for 57 yards against the Packers, has done everything in his power to earn a roster spot. As the standout of the preseason, he should be safe. Duvernay, meanwhile, has rested the past two preseason games, entrenching his spot as the starting return man. And while Virgil played deep into the game against the Packers, fifth-round rookies are rarely cut — plus, he’s displayed plenty of positive signs this summer. The result here: Simi Fehoko may have to head to the practice squad (if he clears waivers), even after an impressive preseason in his own right. That would be harsh on Fehoko, but teams rarely roster seven receivers.
Tight end (3)
Starter: Trey McBride
Backups: Elijah Higgins, Teagan Quitoriano
With Tip Reiman likely to remain on PUP to start the season, the Cardinals could opt to keep Rivaldo Fairweather as a fourth tight end. More likely, though, they’ll stick with three and hope Fairweather can clear waivers to land on the practice squad.
Offensive tackle (4)
Starters: Paris Johnson Jr., Elijah Wilkinson
Backups: Josh Fryar, Jayden Williams
These will almost certainly be the Cardinals’ four tackles. They telegraphed as much against the Packers, removing Fryar and Williams after two drives while Johnson and Wilkinson rested. That means 2024 fifth-round pick Christian Jones is likely heading to waivers, meaning the Cardinals may have released six players from that draft by the end of the weekend.
Interior offensive line (5)
Starters: Isaac Seumalo, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams
Backups: Jon Gaines, Hayden Conner
Again, the picture here is clear. The starters and Gaines rested against Green Bay, while Conner was part of the group removed after two drives. The only potential concern is Adams’ health, as he missed this week’s joint practice with a knee injury. That could open a spot for a 10th lineman if Adams’ injury is more significant than the Cardinals have let on.
Defense
Interior defensive line (6)
Starters: Walter Nolen, Roy Lopez, L.J. Collier
Backups: Darius Robinson, Andrew Billings, Dante Stills
All six rested. All six will make the team. That much is not a question. The question is whether the Cardinals could look to keep a seventh defensive tackle, as most teams do. But there’s not a depth option who projects as being worth a roster spot. If the Cardinals need an extra body on gameday, they can simply elevate someone from the practice squad.
Edge rusher (5)
Starters: Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins
Backups: Baron Browning, Jordan Burch, Eku Leota
This is where perhaps the most intriguing question on the roster lies, given the draft capital the Cardinals once expended on B.J. Ojulari. Against the Packers, both Leota and Ojulari played until the end of the game, suggesting that neither is ticketed for a roster spot. But Sweat is still working back to full strength, making it a risky proposition to keep just four edge rushers. As a result, Leota — who has outperformed Ojulari for most of the summer — earns the 53rd and final spot on the roster in this projection. It wouldn’t be a surprise, though, if Ojulari gets one more chance, or if neither player makes the team.
Linebacker (4)
Starters: Mack Wilson, Jack Gibbens
Backups: Cody Simon, Karson Sharar
Like most players ticketed for the 53-man roster, Sharar exited early against the Packers. That’s good news for him, because a rocky preseason had raised some questions over whether his sixth-round draft capital would be enough to secure a roster spot. Now, it seems he’ll remain on the roster to continue his development.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Will Johnson, Denzel Burke, Garrett Williams
Backups: Max Melton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Kei’Trel Clark
At the beginning of training camp, Starling Thomas V seemed like a near lock for a roster spot, given that he was one of the Cardinals’ most important cornerbacks in 2024, before his torn ACL. But he struggled all summer and hasn’t earned the trust of the coaching staff, which left him in for four quarters against the Packers. Clark, on the other hand, exited after 13 snaps and has the flexibility to play inside and out. He now seems like the sixth cornerback of choice, while Thomas and 2024 third-rounder Elijah Jones miss the cut.
Safety (4)
Starters: Budda Baker, Andrew Wingard
Backups: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Kitan Crawford
Could the Cardinals keep a fifth safety, like Isaiah Oliver, for special teams purposes? Barring an IR designation for Taylor-Demerson, that’s the only potential intrigue here, as the first four spots are locked up. Most likely, though, these will be the four safeties on the roster.
Specialists
Kicker (1): Chad Ryland
Punter (1): Blake Gillikin
Long snapper (1): Casey Kreiter
Gillikin missed practice this week with a groin strain, as the Cardinals signed Jack Browning to fill his void. LaFleur said that move was precautionary, though, so the Cardinals will seemingly begin the season with the same three specialists that they have rostered all offseason.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster, depth chart projection ahead of cuts
