Arizona Cardinals roster projection: Our depth chart prediction after 2nd preseason game

Not much in the Cardinals ’ second preseason game went according to plan. With their starters once again sitting out, they committed 10 penalties and couldn’t move the ball offensively. But for the backups, it was another crucial test before cut-down day on Aug. 27, when the Cardinals had to trim their roster from 90 down to 53.

With two preseason games down and one to go, this is what the final roster ultimately could look like:

Offense

Quarterback (2)

Kyler Murray, Clayton Tune

Clayton Tune’s rise up the depth chart at the expense of Desmond Ridder continued this week. Not only did Tune get the starting nod Saturday against the Colts , but he outperformed Ridder, who misplaced far too many passes despite going against the Colts’ third and fourth-stringers. Tune has looked more comfortable than Ridder since the start of training camp, and he now has the clear upper hand to win this backup job.

Running back (4)

James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, DeeJay Dallas

The only change here from last week’s depth chart projection is Benson moving above Demercado as Conner’s primary backup. Both were active and healthy Saturday, and Benson got the bulk of the carries early on, with Demercado working in on third downs. Michael Carter only saw two late-game carries, further entrenching these four as the backs who will make Arizona’s final roster.

Wide receiver (6)

Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, Zach Pascal, Xavier Weaver

This group is unchanged from a week ago. Pascal has been effective with the second team and hauled in both his targets for 18 yards on Saturday. Weaver, meanwhile, continues to separate himself from his work as a returner. Against the Colts, he took his only return opportunity back 37 yards and added a nice toe-tapping catch later in the game. Sixth-round rookie Tejhaun Palmer and veteran Chris Moore are still options here, but both have had quiet camps.

Tight end (3)

Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman

Reiman displayed some of his run-blocking ability in Saturday’s loss, showing why the Cardinals took him in the third round. Overall, though, it was a quiet day for the tight ends. McBride and Higgins sat out with the starters and none of the other depth pieces made a push for roster spots. This trio is entrenched, with the only possibility for change being if the Cardinals choose to keep four tight ends.

Offensive line (9)

Paris Johnson, Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Will Hernandez, Jonah Williams, Kelvin Beachum, Jon Gaines, Isaiah Adams, Christian Jones

Last week’s roster projection included 10 offensive linemen but Elijah Wilkinson was once again one of the worst players on the field Saturday and doesn’t look like he can be trusted as a depth piece. As such, they could choose to use the extra spot elsewhere on the roster. Jones also struggled, with four holding penalties, but the Cardinals will likely want to hold onto their fifth-round pick. Plus, head coach Jonathan Gannon praised him for bouncing back in the second half. If the Cardinals do go with 10 linemen, Trystan Colon could be an option as a steady piece on the inside.

Defense

Interior defensive line (7)

Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Darius Robinson, Roy Lopez, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills, Khyiris Tonga

This seems like a logical place for the Cardinals to use the extra roster spot if they go with nine offensive linemen. That creates room for Khyiris Tonga, an offseason free-agent addition who impressed in joint practices this week. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis wants to rotate aggressively upfront, so the more bodies, the better. Tonga’s inclusion could also create more opportunities for Robinson and Collier to line up at edge rusher. The rest of this group feels fairly settled. Robinson and Lopez both sat out with the starters Saturday after playing against the Saints. Collier and Stills, meanwhile, have been solid in camp and were removed early Saturday.

Edge rusher (5)

Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, Xavier Thomas, Cameron Thomas

Xavier Thomas, a fifth-round rookie, continues to work his way up the depth chart. Given the Cardinals’ pass-rushing deficiencies, the talented rookie now seems like a lock. The final spot could come down to Cameron Thomas and Jesse Luketa. Both started Saturday with Thomas making more of an impact. He finished with four pressures, good for second on the team behind only Xavier Thomas.

Linebacker (4)

Kyzir White, Mack Wilson Sr., Owen Pappoe, Krys Barnes

This might be the most settled position group on the roster. Rallis will want to use Wilson as a pass rusher on occasion, potentially creating space for a fifth linebacker but given that White projects to play every snap, that doesn’t project to be the most logical use of a roster spot. Also worth noting, Pappoe has shined in camp and brought back a pick-six during joint practices this week. The 2023 fifth-round pick is coming into his own as a key backup.

Cornerback (6)

Sean Murphy-Bunting, Garrett Williams, Max Melton, Starling Thomas V, Kei’Trel Clark, Elijah Jones

It’s hard to see this not being the Cardinals’ final group of six corners. Melton and Thomas are still battling for a starting job, and Clark has established himself as a key backup with a nice training camp and two solid preseason games. Elijah Jones has been poor in coverage so far in both camp and preseason, but the third-round pick will be on the roster as the Cardinals work to develop his abundant natural talent.

Safety (4)

Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Andre Chachere

Taylor-Demerson had another nice preseason performance Saturday, coming away with an interception and two tackles. He’s looking like a steal in the fourth round. The final spot will likely come down to Chachere and Joey Blount. Blount started last week, but Chachere got the nod Saturday, so he projects to fill the final spot for now. Cornerback/safety Darren Hall also continued a surprisingly strong summer on Saturday and could be an option if the Cardinals determine they need his versatility.

Special teams

Kicker: Matt Prater

Puner: Blake Gillikin

Long snapper: Aaron Brewer

There continues to be no reason to think rookie Joe Shimko will beat Brewer out at long snapper. Shimko was named the nation’s best collegiate long snapper last year, but Brewer is an established veteran while Shimko is adjusting to the blocking responsibilities required at the position in the NFL.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals roster projection: Our depth chart prediction after 2nd preseason game