Who stood out for the Arizona Cardinals with (most of) their regular players on the bench for the season opener?
Theo Mackie and Bob McManaman react to the Cardinals’ preseason loss to the Saints
Not much went according to plan in the Cardinals’ second preseason game. With their regular players out again, they committed 10 penalties and were unable to move the ball on offense. But for the reserve players, it was another crucial test before cut-down day on August 27, when the Cardinals had to reduce their roster from 90 to 53.
Two warm-up games are over and one is still to come. This is what the final squad could look like:
attack
quarterbacks (2)
Kyler Murray, Clayton Tune
Clayton Tune’s rise up the rankings at Desmond Ridder’s expense continued this week. Tune not only earned the starting job against the Colts on Saturday, but also outperformed Ridder, who made far too many bad passes despite playing against the third and fourth ranked Colts. Tune has looked more confident than Ridder since the start of training camp and now has the clear advantages to earn that backup job.
Running back (4)
James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, DeeJay Dallas
The only change from last week’s depth chart projection is that Benson moves ahead of Demercado as Conner’s primary backup. Both were active and healthy on Saturday, and Benson got the most appearances early while Demercado could step in on third downs. Michael Carter only had two appearances late in the game, further solidifying those 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 last week. Pascal was effective with the secondary, completing both passes for 18 yards on Saturday. Weaver, on the other hand, continues to distance himself from his work as a returner. Against the Colts, he took his only return opportunity 37 yards back 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 training camps.
End of penalty area (3)
Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman
Reiman showed off some of his run-blocking skills 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 backups pushed for a spot on the roster. That trio is well-established, and the only way they could change it is if the Cardinals decide 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 planning called for 10 offensive linemen, but Elijah Wilkinson was once again one of the worst players on the field on Saturday and doesn’t look like he can be trusted as a backup, so they may decide to use the extra space elsewhere on the roster. Jones also struggled, picking up four holding penalties, but the Cardinals will likely want to hold on to their fifth-round pick. Plus, head coach Jonathan Gannon praised him for his second-half comeback. If the Cardinals do indeed play with 10 linemen, Trystan Colon could be an option as a reliable player on the interior.
defense
Inner defense line (7)
Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Darius Robinson, Roy Lopez, LJ Collier, Dante Stills, Khyiris Tonga
This seems like a logical place for the Cardinals to use the extra roster spot if they compete with nine offensive linemen. That creates room for Khyiris Tonga, an offseason free agent addition who has impressed in joint workouts this week. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis wants to rotate aggressively up front, so the more players the better. Tonga’s addition could also create more opportunities for Robinson and Collier to line up as edge rushers. The rest of this group feels pretty secure. Robinson and Lopez both sat out with the starters on Saturday after playing against the Saints. Collier and Stills, on the other hand, have been solid in training camp and were elevated from the roster early on Saturday.
Edge striker (5)
Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, Xavier Thomas, Cameron Thomas
Xavier Thomas, a fifth-round rookie, continues to work his way up the list. Given the Cardinals’ pass rushing deficiencies, the talented rookie now seems like a sure bet. The final spot could be between Cameron Thomas and Jesse Luketa. Both started Saturday, with Thomas making more of an impression. He finished the game with four pressures, second on the team, behind only Xavier Thomas.
Linebackers (4)
Kyzir White, Mack Wilson Sr., Owen Pappoe, Krys Barnes
This might be the most heavily staffed position on the roster. Rallis will want to use Wilson as a pass rusher on occasion to potentially make room for a fifth linebacker, but with White expected to play every snap, this isn’t the most logical use of a roster spot. It’s also worth noting that Pappoe has shined in camp, bringing a pick-six to joint practices this week. The 2023 fifth-round pick is starting to hit his stride as a key backup.
Corner (6)
Sean Murphy-Bunting, Garrett Williams, Max Melton, Starling Thomas V, Kei’Trel Clark, Elijah Jones
It’s hard to imagine this isn’t the Cardinals’ final group of six cornerbacks. Melton and Thomas are still battling for a spot in the starting lineup, and Clark has established himself as a key backup with a good training camp and two solid preseason games. Elijah Jones has been poor in coverage so far in both training camp and preseason, but the third-round pick will be on the roster as the Cardinals work to develop his big natural talent.
Security (4)
Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Andre Chachere
Taylor-Demerson had another good preseason performance on Saturday, recording an interception and two tackles. He looks like a steal in the fourth round. The last spot will likely be filled by Chachere and Joey Blount. Blount started last week, but Chachere got the nod on Saturday, so he’s expected to fill the last spot for now. Cornerback/safety Darren Hall also continued his surprisingly strong summer on Saturday and could be an option if the Cardinals find they need his versatility.
Special teams
Kicker: Matt Prater
Wordplay: Blake Gillikin
Long Snapper: Aaron Brewer
There remains no reason to believe rookie Joe Shimko will beat out Brewer at long snapper. Shimko was named the nation’s best college long snapper last year, but Brewer is an established veteran while Shimko is getting used to the blocking duties required of that position in the NFL.
