The Arizona Cardinals had seven draft picks in this year’s 2026 NFL draft. Several new pieces should help this roster, with an emphasis on the offense. And it should, with a new head coach whose responsibility is to rejuvenate that side of the ball.
The offensive line appears to be the biggest winner now that free agency and the draft have come and gone.
RELATED: CARDINALS COMPLETE DRAFT CLASS
The offense as a whole needed the most attention. GM Monti Ossenfort chose five of seven picks to assist this
unit, including the first three picks: RB Jeremyiah Love, OG Chase Bisontis, and QB Carson Beck.
Training camp will begin in late July with 90 players in tow. However, before Week 1 the roster must be pared down to 53 players. There will be some surprises that nobody foresaw once camp breaks, and the undrafted rookie list might bring a roster member or two. But for now, let’s examine a way-too-early look at what the Cardinals roster may look like this season.
Italics: rookie
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3)
Jacoby Brissett
Gardner Minshew
Carson Beck
Running back (4)
James Conner
Trey Benson
Tyler Allgeier
Jeremiyah Love
Receiver (5)
Michael Wilson
Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Kendrick Bourne
Xavier Weaver
Reggie Virgil
Tight end (2)
Trey McBride
Tip Reiman
Offensive line (10)
Hjalte Froholdt (C)
Isaiah Adams (RG)
Chase Bisontis (RG)
Isaac Seumalo (LG)
Elijah Wilkinson (RT)
Olisaemeka Udoh (RT)
Paris Johnson, Jr. (LT)
Demontrey Jacobs (LT)
Matt Pryor (C/OG)
Jayden Williams (OG/OT)
DEFENSE
Defensive end (5)
Josh Sweat
Darius Robinson
Dante Stills
Jordan Burch
Jonah Williams
Defensive tackle (4)
Roy Lopez, Jr.
Walter Nolen III
Kaleb Proctor
Andrew Billings
Linebacker (6)
Cody Simon
Mack Wilson, Sr.
Zaven Collins
Baron Browning
Karson Sharar
Jack Gibbens
Cornerback (6)
Will Johnson
Denzel Burke
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Starling Thomas V
Max Melton
Garrett Williams
Safety (4)
Budda Baker
Andrew Wingard
Kitan Crawford
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Chad Ryland
P Blake Gillikin
LS Casey Kreiter
KR Devin Duvernay
NOTES
By no means is this a valid prediction, but just a best guess at this stage. Training camp will reveal a lot of unknown elements, and every year, one or two unexpected athletes come to the forefront. And of course, just because a player is drafted doesn’t guarantee he will make the final roster, but for this exercise, all seven rookies are included.
It is not certain what condition both Conner and Benson will be in once they show up for training camp, so this group may not be complete. But barring any setbacks, both will most likely be used, or it could become one will be traded to make room for Love. If Bam Knight is going to make this club, he is going to have to prove his worth by tackling return men or perhaps returning kickoffs.
Usually, teams keep six receivers, so notice that Duvernay is listed with the specialists, but should be counted as WR6. Undrafted rookie Tre Wallace is an intriguing prospect.
Two tight ends isn’t going to happen, but another offensive lineman was wanted. Attrition down the stretch affects this group most of all, so being prepared is more advantageous.
Not sure if Andrew Billings will make it as DT4, but most clubs keep four and rotate them all game. Somebody may bump him, but he has a ton of experience and might find the desert his seventh home. Perhaps an undrafted rookie may supplant Billings.
Not sold on Jonah Williams as the fifth defensive end. Was a huge yawn when he signed in free agency, and look for somebody to take his spot once the final tally is done. SMU undrafted rookie Cameron Robertson had nine sacks the past two seasons and 52 tackles this past season. Keep an eye on him.
The best group with the entire roster is the cornerback group. Ossenfort knew not to bring in another rookie and waste a pick.
