So the Cardinals end up with just four running backs after Michael Carter leaves. They have seven receivers if you include the suspended Zay Jones. All the young cornerbacks are still there. And Darren Hall was the guy who made it too hard to let go.
The first roster for 2024 is here. It’s Tuesday, and by Wednesday afternoon it will likely change. The Cardinals are fourth in the waiver-claim order (and will remain there through the first four weeks of the regular season). It wouldn’t be a surprise if at least one more person could be found.
But at the time of this post, here are some of my quick takeaways, knowing things will be different:
— Clayton Tune as backup QB. It seemed clear he outplayed Desmond Ridder. There are ways to use another quarterback if the Cardinals want to, but how does that player get more practice than Kyler to learn the offense?
— I’m curious to see if the Cardinals find a way to get Carter back. Or linebacker Krys Barnes. There are ways to do that if they don’t land somewhere else in the next 24 to 48 hours. If that happens (and it’s not the practice squad), obviously there will be further steps to be taken.
— Whether there were any decisions made on the Melton/Thomas/Clark/Elijah Jones pecking order, we won’t really know since they’re all still there. The work will go into developing young cornerbacks.
— We don’t talk enough about Trystan Colon as a backup center, but he has experience and is a good option if something happens to Hjalte Froholdt. Kelvin Beachum is solid, but the other backup offensive players will need to step up their game when they come in.
— Four tight ends. That makes sense for a team that wants to use two or three in every game.
– Still waiting to see if they can get a lead, but honestly, if there is one worth taking, it’s hard to imagine it getting past Carolina/Washington/New England in the order of claim.
— There are currently 11 defensive backs in total. Will that change?
— We’re that much closer to Marvin Harrison Jr.’s first NFL goal. It can’t come soon enough.
