The Arizona Cardinals open preseason play this week. They have finished two weeks of training camp. They have lost one starter for the season as linebacker BJ Ojulari tore his ACL last Friday, which will change how things go for the 53-man roster.
Below are new 53-man roster projections, based on what we have seen in camp and the recent news of Ojulari’s injury.
Quarterback
- Kyler Murray
- Desmond Ridder
While Ridder and Clayton Tune both get second-team reps, neither has been good in camp. You might see the Cardinals try and get another. But I’m going with Ridder and his experience until something changes.
Running back
- James Conner
- Emari Demercado
- DeeJay Dallas
- Trey Benson
Jonathan Gannon sure sounds like Demercado has a spot locked. That means Michael Carter is on the outside.
Wide receiver
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Michael Wilson
- Zay Jones
- Greg Dortch
- Chris Moore
- Xavier Weaver
Weaver might get looks as a returner with DeeJay Dallas.
Tight end
- Trey McBride
- Elijah Higgins
- Tip Reiman
- Blake Whiteheart
It is possible they only keep three on the active roster and go with a fourth on the practice squad if they aren’t sure who the fourth one is.
Offensive line
- Paris Johnson
- Evan Brown
- Hjalte Froholdt
- Will Hernandez
- Jonah Williams
- Elijah Wilkinson
- Jon Gaines
- Isaiah Adams
- Kelvin Beachum
Christian Jones is going to be hard to keep with this group. So will Trystan Colon.
Defensive line
- Justin Jones
- Roy Lopez
- Bilal Nichols
- L.J. Collier
- Darius Robinson
- Dante Stills
Kyiris Tonga was a tough cut because he would be Lopez’s backup nose tackle. But these six all seem like locks. Robinson will get some edge snaps in the season.
Outside linebacker
- Zaven Collins
- Dennis Gardeck
- Cameron Thomas
- Xavier Thomas
Between Darius Robinson from the defensive line getting playing time off the edge and inside linebacker Mack Wilson now getting edge looks with Ojulari out, the Cardinals can short this position to start, although Victor Dimukeje and Jesse Luketa could sneak on here because of special teams play.
Inside linebacker
- Kyzir White
- Mack Wilson
- Krys Barnes
- Owen Pappoe
- Markus Bailey
This group seems set. Wilson is seeing some playing time as an outside linebacker as well.
Cornerback
- Sean Murphy-Bunting
- Garrett Williams
- Starling Thomas
- Max Melton
- Elijah Jones
- Kei’Trel Clark
Depending on the rest of the roster, it will be hard to keep Clark on the roster. Thomas feels like a lock.
Safety
- Budda Baker
- Jalen Thompson
- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
- Andre Chachere
This is an easy decision. Joey Blount might figure in here for special teams but my guess is Taylor-Demerson will handle that.
Specialists
- Matt Prater
- Blake Gillikin
- Aaron Brewer
I haven’t seen enough from Shimko to suggest that he will supplant Brewer.
