The Arizona Cardinals must cut down their roster to 53 players by Sunday afternoon. They deadline is 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. Arizona time). Between trades, cuts and decisions about injuries, a lot will happen between now and then.
We have seen four preseason games and training camp.
What will the final 53 look like?
Below are my final projections.
Cardinals 53-man roster projections: Offense
Quarterback
- Jacoby Brissett
- Gardner Minshew
- Carson Beck
There could be a small chance the Cardinals save a roster spot and put Beck on injured reserve with his rib injury. That would mean missing at least two more weeks of practice and being out until at least Week 5.
Running back
- Tyler Allgeier
- Jeremiyah Love
- Bam Knight
- Evan Hull
With Love perhaps uncertain for Week 1, and with James Conner not having practiced yet, Hull, following his big performance on Friday, earns a spot, at least for now. Conner, being
a vested veteran, could either be placed on injured reserve or released and re-signed to the practice squad. He won't have to clear waivers as a vested vet, and there will be no pay cut, as $2.1 million of his salary of more than $2.35 million is guaranteed.
Wide receiver
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Michael Wilson
- Kendrick Bourne
- Devin Duvernay
- Jalen Brooks
- Reggie Virgil
Simi Fehoko deserves a spot, but also as a vested veteran and with more than $1 million in salary guarantees, he can be cut and re-signed to the practice squad like last year. Brooks could, too, so it could go either way. Ihmir Smith-Marsette will likely land on injured reserve after leaving the game on Friday with an ankle injury
Tight end
- Trey McBride
- Elijah Higgins
- Teagan Quitoriano
Tip Reiman will likely start the season on PUP. They probably can't keep four right now, although they might elevate one from the practice squad for game days.
Offenisve lineman
- Paris Johnson
- Isaac Seumalo
- Hjalte Froholdt
- Isaiah Adams
- Elijah Wilkinson
- Jon Gaines
- Josh Fryar
- Jayden Williams
- Hayden Conner
Adams' knee injury is something to consider. Is it enoujgh to put him on injured reserve? If so, Matt Pryor might make the squad. If not, they will need a guard/center backup in case Adams isn't ready in Week 1. That is where Conner makes the team. Fryar and Williams feel like locks.
53-man roster projections: Defense
Defensive line
- Roy Lopez
- Walter Nolen
- L.J. Collier
- Andrew Billings
- Darius Robinson
- Dante Stills
This group feels pretty locked in.
Outside linebacker
- Josh Sweat
- Zaven Collins
- Baron Browning
- Jordan Burch
- Eku Leota
While BJ Ojulari came up big on Friday, it wasn't enough to beat out Leota, who was more consistent and can play on special teams. If there was more certainty about Sweat being ready to play in Week 1, they might only carry four to start the year.
Inside linebacker
- Mack Wilson
- Jack Gibbens
- Cody Simon
- Karson Sharar
The first three are locks. The fact that Sharar came out of the game on Friday and Pappoe played the entire game suggests that Sharar has won the final spot.
Cornerback
- Will Johnson
- Denzel Burke
- Max Melton
- Garrett Williams
- Sean Murphy-Bunting
- Elijah Jones
Watch out for a potential Melton trade. With Williams uncertain to play Week 1, they will keep six. Jones earns the final spot, although Kei'Trel Clark or Kalen King could sneak in ahead of him.
Safety
- Budda Baker
- Andrew Wingard
- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
- Kitan Crawford
Taylor-Demerson could be injured enough to land on injured reserve to start the season. If that happens, Isaiah Oliver would be the guy.
Special teams
- K Chad Ryland
- P Blake Gillikin
- LS Casey Kreiter
If Gillikin can't go in Week 1, expect Jack Browning to be signed to the practice squad and elevated for the game.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Final Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster projections after preseason finale
