The Arizona Cardinals played their first preseason game of the year. We got to see a little bit of the depth chart and where players stand. There were also some injuries that make position battles a little clearer.
With one preseason game in the books, here is what the 53-man roster might look like, based on the first two weeks of training camp and one preseason game.
53-man projections: Offense
Quarterback
- Jacoby Brissett
- Gardner Minshew
- Carson Beck
This isn't anything different than we have seen all offseason. The roles are pretty clear.
Running back
- Tyler Allgeier
- Jeremiyah Love
- James Conner
- Bam Knight
The top three are locks. Trey Benson's knee flaring up is problematic. we didn't see him play and didn't see whether he would play on special teams, which is a must for RB4. Knight was perfect in that role last year.
Wide receiver
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Michael Wilson
- Kendrick Bourne
- Devin Duvernay
- Simi Fehoko
- Reggie Virgil
Jalen Brooks made big plays. Fehoko scored
a touchdown on a great catch in the end zone. But Fehoko is a special teams stud. It will probably come down to Fehoko and Brooks. Ihmir Smith-Marsette's absence on Thursday was likely because he had a mild injury. He will have to beat out Duvernay to make the roster.
Tight end
- Trey McBride
- Elijah Higgins
- Tip Reiman
The numbers make it tough to keep four right now. Reiman will preumably be ready for the season. If they add a fourth, watch for Teagan Quitoriano.
Offensive line
- Paris Johnson
- Isaac Seumalo
- Hjalte Froholdt
- Isaiah Adams
- Elijah Wilkinson
- Josh Fryar
- Jayden Williams
- Jon Gaines
- Chase Bisontis
Fryar has an in with the offensive line coach. Gaines will be the backup center, but Hayden Conner could push him off the roster. It will come down to Gaines or Conner for that spot. Williams has been a surprise as a seventh-round pick.
53-man roster projections: Defense
Defensive line
- Darius Robinson
- Walter Nolen
- Roy Lopez
- Andrew Billings
- L.J. Collier
- Dante Stills
Lopez and Billings are the nose tackles for first and second downs. With the season-ending injury to rookie Kaleb Proctor, this becomes a lot easier.
Outside linebacker
- Josh Sweat
- Zaven Collins
- Baron Browning
- Jordan Burch
- Eku Leota
BJ Ojulari would seem like a lock, but he was playing late into the game. Burch didn't play, which would suggest he is favored to make the team. So Leota, who has been named a couple of times this offseason for his work in practice, coudl get the job.
Inside linebacker
- Mack Wilson
- Cody Simon
- Jack Gibbens
- Karson Sharar
The three are locks. Will they keep four or five? Sharar has the edge as a draft pick this year. Austin Keys played almost the entire game, and Owen Pappoe is in his fourth season. Pappoe could beat out Sharar or be a fifth guy.
Cornerback
- Will Johnson
- Denzel Burke
- Max Melton
- Sean Murphy-Bunting
- Elijah Jones
- Garrett Williams
Williams might not make it to Week 1 and could stay on PUP, but he is expected to be activated before the season, which means they will need to keep a roster spot open. If that is true, Kalen King might bump Jones, as he would be the backup nickel to Murphy-Bunting.
Safety
- Budda Baker
- Andrew Wingard
- Rabbit Taylor-Demerson
- Kitan Crawford
Joey Blount's injury makes this decision easier. Watch for Isaiah Oliver to compete for a spot.
53-man roster projections: Specialists
- P Blake Gillikin
- K Chad Ryland
- LS Casey Kreiter
There is no question about these guys.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster projections after preseason opener
