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Our Arizona Cardinals depth chart, roster projection and what it means - The Arizona Cardinals' 53-man roster is taking shape following a month of spring practices.
- Fourth-round rookie defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor could miss the entire season with a torn meniscus.
Two months ago, at the conclusion of the NFL draft, we projected the Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster, from Trey McBride down to long snapper Casey Kreiter.
But back then, there was just one problem: We hadnt actually seen these Cardinals on the practice field under Mike LaFleur.
Now, we have.
Over the past month, the Cardinals held 11 practices, including four that were partially open to media.
A picture has begun to form, revealing what LaFleurs plans look like and who is involved.
Theres still a long way to go before cut day on Aug.
30, but here is our latest projection of both the Cardinals 53-man roster and their depth chart.
Offense Quarterback (3) Starter: Jacoby Brissett Backups: Gardner Minshew, Carson Beck The Cardinals wont name a starting quarterback, but if Brissett finds a solution to his current contract dispute, it still seems like hell have the inside track when he returns.
The other two are roster locks as well.
Beck spent most of the spring working behind Kedon Slovis, but his rookie learning curve should accelerate once training camp arrives.
Running back (4) Starter: Jeremiyah Love Backups: Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, Trey Benson Like Beck, Love spent much of the spring working behind a less heralded veteran in this case, Allgeier.
That split could be more even than Loves draft stock would indicate, but it should still be Love leading this backfield once the season begins.
The biggest question here is whether Benson a 2024 third-round pick will make the roster after missing most of last season to injury.
He was still working on the side with trainers during spring practices, so that answer will have to wait until August.
Wide receiver (6) Starters: Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Kendrick Bourne Backups: Devin Duvernay, Reggie Virgil, Simi Fehoko Last month, LaFleur outlined the roles for his starting wide receivers: Harrison as the "X" receiver, Wilson as the "Z" receiver and Bourne in the slot.
Thats a different role for Bourne, who has primarily played on the outside throughout his career, but it offers him a clear path to the field, despite the presence of Wilson and Harrison.
Elsewhere, Duvernay is the return specialist, and Virgil is a rookie, so theres room for one more veteran someone like Fehoko, Jalen Brooks or Xavier Weaver.
Tight end (3) Starter: Trey McBride Backups: Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman This might be the most straightforward group on the roster.
McBride is the Cardinals best player and the weapon around whom their offense revolves.
Higgins is the pass-catching backup.
Reiman who is expected to return from an ankle injury in training camp is the blocking-first run game weapon.
Offensive tackle (4) Starters: Paris Johnson Jr., Elijah Wilkinson Backups: Josh Fryar, Matt Pryor The Cardinals did not acquire a clear starter at right tackle this offseason, addressing the position only with low-cost free agent signings and a seventh-round draft pick.
In spring ball, it was Wilkinson one of those signings who worked with the starters.
Pryor backed him up, suggesting that the Cardinals view him as a tackle, despite his versatile history.
That might be bad news for players such as Christian Jones and Demontrey Jacobs.
Interior offensive line (5) Starters: Isaac Seumalo, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams Backups: Chase Bisontis, Jon Gaines One of the surprises of spring ball came on the offensive line, where Adams was working ahead of second-round rookie Bisontis, despite his struggles throughout last season.
That might be a case of a rookie who has to learn the system, or it might be that the Cardinals trust Adams more than most outside observers.
Among the backups, meanwhile, Gaines versatility means the Cardinals can likely get away with keeping just five interior offensive linemen.
Defense Interior defensive line (6) Starters: Walter Nolen, Darius Robinson Backups: Dante Stills, Roy Lopez, Andrew Billings, L.J.
Collier The worst news of spring camp came at the very end, when LaFleur announced that fourth-round rookie defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor could miss the entire season with a torn meniscus.
That was a major blow to a defensive front that could have used his pass-rush juice.
As is, this is one of the least inspiring groups on the roster, with limited upside beyond Nolen.
Edge rusher (5) Starters: Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins Backups: Baron Browning, B.J.
Ojulari, Jordan Burch The Cardinals didnt add to their edge rushers over the offseason, so theyll run it back with this group.
That means hoping for a leap from Ojulari or Burch to have a genuine second threat alongside Sweat.
Linebacker (4) Starters: Mack Wilson, Cody Simon Backups: Jack Gibbens, Karson Sharar Simon, a 2025 fourth-round pick, appeared to have the upper hand on Gibbens, a low-cost free agent signing, in spring ball.
Thats an encouraging sign for Simons growth, as hell need to be quicker at reading the game than he was as a rookie.
Sharar, meanwhile, missed most of spring camp with a hamstring strain but is expected to be back before training camp, when he might be competing with Owen Pappoe for a roster spot.
Cornerback (6) Starters: Will Johnson, Max Melton, Garrett Williams Backups: Starling Thomas V, Denzel Burke, Sean Murphy-Bunting In a major surprise, Williams could be ready for Week 1 after suffering a torn Achilles last December.
If that comes to pass, hell presumably retain his starting job, with Murphy-Bunting as the backup following an offseason position change.
On the outside, three players Melton, Thomas and Burke are competing for one job.
Melton was benched late last year but may have the upper hand, as defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was effusive regarding his growth with the mental side of the game.
Safety (4) Starters: Budda Baker, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson Backups: Andrew Wingard, Kitan Crawford Wingard, another low-cost veteran signing, saw plenty of opportunities during spring camp, but the starting job alongside Baker should still belong to Taylor-Demerson.
The 2024 fourth-rounder has impressed in his opportunities over the past two seasons and will now step into a larger role following Jalen Thompsons departure.
As for the depth spots, Crawford and Joey Blount may be competing for a job, largely based on their special teams ability.
Specialists Kicker (1): Chad Ryland Punter (1): Blake Gillikin Long snapper (1): Casey Kreiter The Cardinals cut Joshua Karty, who began the spring as competition for Rylands spot after a shaky end to last season.
That means that all three specialists are entrenched in their jobs, with no other competition on the roster.