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Updated Cardinals 53-man roster projections after 2 preseason games
By Jess Root,
5 hours ago
The Arizona Cardinals have completed two preseason games and are a little more than a week away from having to cutdown the roster down to 53 players. Several spots on the roster are very much up for grabs.
Based on two preseason games, there haven’t been many changes, but here are the latest 53-man roster projections for the Cardinals.
Quarterback
Kyler Murray
Clayton Tune
Tune has clearly outplayed Desmond Ridder in the preseason. Neither Tune nor Ridder has been great in camp, but Ridder looks like an odd man out.
Running back
James Conner
Trey Benson
Emari Demercado
DeeJay Dallas
Michael Carter becomes a tough cut. There’s no good way to keep five backs on the roster.
Wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Michael Wilson
Greg Dortch
Zay Jones
Xavier Weaver
Chris Moore
Weaver seems to have a spot on the roster if they keep six receivers. But the spot up for grabs to me is either Moore or Zach Pascal.
Tight end
Trey McBride
Elijah Higgins
Tip Reiman
If there is a fourth they keep, it will likely Blake Whiteheart because he plays a lot on special teams. But for now, only three fit on the roster.
Offensive line
Paris Johnson Jr.
Evan Brown
Hjalte Froholdt
Will Hernandez
Jonah Williams
Kelvin Beachum
Isaiah Adams
Jon Gaines
Elijah Wilkinson
This group hasn’t changed. Christian Jones isn’t ready and wouldn’t beat out Beachum. Trystan Colon has a shot.
Defensive line
Justin Jones
Roy Lopez
Bilal Nichols
Darius Robinson
L.J. Collier
Dante Stills
This group hasn’t changed. Khyiris Tonga makes it only if they keep seven, which I don’t think they do, especially since Cameron Thomas can line up inside.
Outside linebacker
Zaven Collins
Dennis Gardeck
Cameron Thomas
Xavier Thomas
Victor Dimukeje
Cameron Thomas showed up in the preseason game, cementing his spot on the roster, while Dimukeje is a core special team player, even more than Jesse Luketa.
Inside linebacker
Kyzir White
Mack Wilson
Krys Barnes
Owen Pappoe
Markus Bailey
The only real question is who gets the last spot for special teams. Bailey is the most experienced there.
Cornerback
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Garrett Williams
Starling Thomas
Max Melton
Elijah Jones
Kei’Trel Clark
As it has been for the last two weeks, Jonathan Gannon will not find it easy to keep fewer than six corners. Bobby Price factors in for special teams.
Safety
Budda Baker
Jalen Thompson
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
Darren Hall
Hall has been great. He played a little on special teams. Joey Blount is a better player on special teams and Andre Chachere is the more experienced player as safety depth. But Hall is the guy for now.
Specialists
Matt Prater
Blake Gillikin
Aaron Brewer
Brewer still gets the edge over joe Shimko.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast.Subscribe onSpotify,YouTubeorApple podcasts.
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