Right off, the Arizona Cardinals running back room is full. Full of talent, full of guys who have NFL experience. And full of promise.
The next room that appears to be good? The receiver group.
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Currently, there are 12 bodies under contract in this room. Most NFL clubs only keep six receivers on the final roster.
Then, the GM will attempt to stash a couple on the practice squad. This is tricky because it involves being exposed on the waiver
wire, where any of the other 31 clubs can claim a player that the team was hoping they could sign to their taxi squad.
Simi Fehoko came to the Cardinals last year in hopes of getting a starting job. He was a last-day cut, then signed to the practice squad, and almost instantly was brought up to the main roster. He found his place on the team until he broke his arm in Week 10.
When Fehoko was lost for the final bit of the schedule of the 2025 season, special teams instantly felt his loss. During this off-season, GM Monti Ossenfort re-signed Fehoko to a one-year deal to return to the desert.
Now, heading into 20l6 training camp, what should Cardinals fans expect from him? Will he make the final cut this year? If so, can he start getting offensive snaps, or is he situated on a special teams designation?
Fehoko was the darling of preseason last year, and it appeared that Arizona had found a good complement to their starting receiver lineup, and perhaps a Red Zone target with his 6’-4”, 225-pound frame. He caught two touchdowns in two games, including one impressive toe-drag swag. He finished with 41 preseason offensive snaps with a Pro Football Focus grade of 71.6.
All things looked rosy for Fehoko and for the Cardinals’ receiver room. But “the Turk” arrived, and the group was one man light. He cleared waivers, and Arizona inked him to their practice squad one day later. Just two weeks later, he was called up.
He has a reputation for toughness. In 2025, Fehoko had a career-high 116 special teams snaps and was third on the team in special teams tackles despite only playing in eight games.
And now?
Is Fehoko only a tackler on punt and kickoff coverage? Is that his role? 6’-4”, 225 pounds, and is on the roster to nail punt returners? No offensive passes? No Red Zone targets?
The answer may appear bleak for Fehoko. Keep in mind, every NFL club needs guys just for special teams. They need some good gunners and excellent tacklers. So, there is a place for him. The coverage teams are usually backup safeties, some quicker, lean backup defensive ends, once in a while a running back, and hardly any receivers. So, he is in the minority.
Look at the Cardinals receiver group this year and depth chart heading into training camp:
- Right outside receiver: Michael Wilson, backup Fehoko, Jalen Brooks, Harrison Wallace, III
- Left outside receiver: Marv Harrison, Jr., backup Reggie Virgil, Xavier Weaver, Bryson Green
- Slot receiver: Kendrick Bourne, backup Devin Duvernay, Tejhaun Palmer, Ihmir Smith-Marsette
When Fehoko was signed from the Los Angeles Chargers last year during free agency, OC Drew Petzing had visions of a tall guy with girth who could snag passes along the sideline and in the end zone. And he delivered during the preseason.
He was predicted to be safe and make the final roster, but was released instead. Why? Only Petzing knows, and since he was let go after the head coach was fired, he ain’t saying.
And when Fehoko was signed to the main roster just two weeks into the 2025 season, it looked like he would become a rotational target on the offense. But he only had 7% of all offensive snaps during his eight games played.
His toughness was on full display when, against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10, Fehoko injured his ankle, had it taped up, and on the following kickoff, broke his arm.
However, injuries are a constant for him, which all began in the pros. With the Dallas Cowboys, he had COVID and a left shoulder injury. Employed by the Chargers, he had an elbow issue. Then the ankle and broken arm with Arizona.
What does the future hold for Fehoko? If he had an awesome preseason and was still cut last year, one has to wonder what he has to do in this year’s training camp in order to secure a roster spot. Having new offensive coaches will clean the slate for him.
And this season, the team has gone out and obtained Bourne from the San Francisco 49ers and selected Virgil in this year’s NFL draft.
The Cardinals understand Fehoko’s impact on special teams, and with another successful preseason campaign, he could vie for an offensive role.
