The Arizona Cardinals have gone through two preseason games, with another pair right behind them. Two rookies have already gotten hurt at different stages and are most likely out for the year.
The preseason games provide a Catch-22. These exhibition games are important because it shows which players the coaches need to keep, and which to allow to find gainful employment elsewhere.
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With practices and preseason games, the coaches should be getting a good feel for
which players are going to make the final 53-man roster. The final cutdown is August 30. “The Turk” is polishing his sword of which athletes to cut.
Every year, there are surprises. Guys who aren’t drafted, or who were signed as free agents, ball out and find a new home.
One group that will have some tough decisions to make for the offensive coaches is the receiver room. This unit this year has plenty of talent, which has been on full display during practices. The trick is to show that same ability once the big-boy football begins in the exhibition contests.
Most NFL coaching staffs retain six receivers on their active roster, and whatever number they feel they should keep once their practice squad is being formed.
Realistically, with the talent level in this group, the Cardinals could conceivably keep eight guys and not blink an eye. That is what they would like to retain, but of course, by keeping two extra receivers, that would mean one less defensive end, cornerback, or that fourth tight end. And since most plays feature only three receivers, adding five other pass catchers along the sideline doesn’t make much sense.
So, six is the number.
There are a few guys on this roster who are locks, namely Michael Wilson and Marv Harrison, who are slated for the right and left outside receivers. Currently on the depth chart, Kendrick Bourne is penciled in as the slot receiver. In all probability, that’s three.
Certainly, there will be times that four receivers on the field are called for, but this offense will more than likely have three tight ends in the huddle rather than a bevy of receivers.
The final three guys are the quagmire. Let’s examine the actors.
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Kendrick Bourne (6’-1”, 204 pounds)
Age: 31
Contract: Two-year, $10 million: Incentives up to $2 million, $7.5 million guaranteed, $4.5 million signing bonus
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort went after Bourne pretty hard during the free agency period. The team wanted to elevate the slot receiver position after fiddling with a combination of Xavier Weaver, Zay Jones, and Greg Dortch.
Both Jones and Dortch ended up on IR, which resembled a medical ward last year. Weaver started two games with 13 targets, 7 receptions, for 67 yards. The veteran Jones was supposed to be the answer in the slot, but had issues such as being suspended for five games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy and then suffering a torn Achilles last year, which ended his season. In 2025, he had 18 targets and 12 catches for 183 yards. Dortch was compact with a ton of speed and on his fifth NFL club when he signed with the Cardinals to play the slot. The end result was 33 targets, 29 receptions for 206 yards.
Ossenfort decided a known talent needed to be brought in and inked Bourne to a two-year, $10 million contract worth up to $12 million. This means Ossenfort is expecting Bourne to live out his contract and become that third receiver.
He has played nine years and has twice had over 70 targets in a season. He has reliable hands with strong route-running burst and is a tough kid. He also possesses versatility in that he can play inside or outside. Now, he isn’t going to win any races, but he is a physical receiver and will fight for contested balls. Ossenfort is counting on him to become that third chess piece.
Devin Duvernay (5’-11”, 200 pounds)
Age: 28
Contract: One-year, $1.85 million: Incentives up to $650,000, $550,000 guaranteed, $300,000 signing bonus
The Cardinals signed Duvernay to be their return man. Not that he won’t be getting any snaps on the offense, but it won’t be many this season. He hasn’t proven in training camp that he is the right guy for either the kickoff or punt return position, but he does have a very good history of being good at both. So, there’s that.
And he is fast. He ran a 4.39 in the 40 with a vertical leap of 35.5”, broad jump of 10’-3”, with a wingspan of 6’-3 ¼”. He was also a track star. Duvernay won the 2015 100-meter 6A State Championship in high school, so he can scoot. He had 34 college offers.
During his first three years with Baltimore, he was used sparingly and was more of a return specialist than a receiver role. In his contract year, he suffered a back injury in Week 14 and was placed on IR, which limited his stats. In order to make this roster, Duvernay will have to show he can handle both the kickoff and punt return aspects of special teams; otherwise, there are several receivers who are going to outplay him and earn that spot instead.
Reggie Virgil (6’-3”, 187 pounds)
Age: 22
Contract: Four-year, $4.94 million: $556,500 guaranteed, $556,500 signing bonus
The Cardinals coaching staff is doing all it can to keep Virgil on this year’s final roster. He has impressed in training camp and practices. He has also performed well in both preseason games. Watch the 19-yard catch he had in the Raiders game. Over the shoulder, with two feet being dragged, that converted a third-and-11 play.
He has good height and was a high school basketball standout. Runs a 4.57, can jump 36” and benched 225-pounds 30 times. Virgil will take advantage of defensive backs vertically down the field.
This is a big speed guy who plays scrappy and tenacious. He is very physical and can incorporate his hands with good speed, so when defenders tug on him, they aren’t able to hold him. He is a good hand-fighter. He is known for putting in the work and has a big appetite for making big plays. Very explosive.
Against the Raiders, 4 targets, 2 catches for 43 yards and a 21.5 yards-per-catch average. In the Hall of Fame Game, Virgil had 6 targets, 5 receptions for 66 yards with a 13.2 yards-per-catch average.
Simi Fehoko (6’-4”, 225 pounds)
Age: 28
Contract: One-year, $1.4 million: $1.26 million guaranteed, $187,000 signing bonus
Fehoko is in a strange position. He has plenty of experience going into his sixth season and has had a really good camp. Great touchdown grab against the Raiders. The Cardinals have always loved his size, with a large frame and a high catch point. He is excellent with tackling on special teams and offers a big target in the receiver room, so he gives the team versatility. His only season with the Cardinals last year was interrupted by a broken arm, sprained ankle, and a concussion. The coaching staff loves this guy, so we will see.
Jalen Brooks (6’-2”, 205 pounds)
Age: 26
Contract: Two-year, $2.18 million: $0 guaranteed, $0 signing bonus
Every year, there is a receiver who becomes the darling of training camp and preseason. Brooks is this year’s version. He has impressed in two of two games. The Cardinals might need to find a way to keep him. He has been a force in practices as well.
Brooks led all receivers in the Hall of Fame Game with 4 targets, 3 catches for 99 yards. In the Raiders contest, he again led all receivers with 6 targets, 6 receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Great hands and a fearless receiver. He has a great ability to track the ball in flight and will adjust his route to meet the ball. Brooks will also go across the middle despite knowing he will get whacked. A very smooth route runner and is shifty. Able to fool cornerbacks with good deception. The coaching staff will have a difficult time releasing him.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette (6’-1”, 185 pounds)
Age: 26
Contract: One-year, $1.22 million: $0 guaranteed, $0 signing bonus
The Cardinals love his 4.42 speed and shiftiness. He is also a kick returner, which is a huge plus. Arizona is his sixth NFL club, so he hasn’t been able to settle down and just play football.
No catches or returns in the Hall of Fame Game, and 1 reception for 7 yards in the Raiders match, with 1 punt return (4 yards) and 1 kickoff return (24 yards).
Smith-Marsette has open-field speed and is a valuable guy for the return game. As a receiver, he has some limitations with his lean frame, which limits his physicality against larger safeties.
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Other receivers include Xavier Weaver (6’-0”, 185 pounds), Bryson Green (6’-1”, 210 pounds), and Harrison Wallace III (6’-0”, 192 pounds).
