Mapping out the Arizona Cardinals’ roster ahead of camp

Cardinals insider Mike Jurecki breaks down the Arizona Cardinals’ roster by position before training camp begins.

Projected starters

WR-TE: Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Jaron Brown, Jermaine Gresham/Troy Niklas

OL: D.J. Humphries, Mike Iupati, A.Q. Shipley, Evan Boehm, Jared Veldheer

RB: David Johnson

DL: Frostee Rucker, Corey Peters, Josh Mauro/Robert Nkemdiche

LB: Markus Golden, Deone Bucannon/Haason Reddick, Karlos Dansby, Chandler Jones

DB: Patrick Peterson, Justin Bethel, Tyrann Mathieu, Tyvon Branch/Antoine Bethea

LS: Aaron Brewer

K: Phil Dawson

P: Matt Wile

Roster Breakdown

QUARTERBACKS (4)

Carson Palmer: Entering the 15th year of his career, he threw 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last year.

Drew Stanton: Proven to be one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL with his career 8-5 record (6-3 with the Cardinals).

Blaine Gabbert: Will need a good showing and could be the third quarterback on the active roster.

Trevor Knight: Depending on how many quarterbacks they keep, the undrafted free agent is a practice squad option.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (15)

Tony Bergstrom: Veteran center/guard who has played 40 games.

Evan Boehm: A fourth-round pick (2016) who started three games at right guard, Boehm was drafted as a center. He played starting right guard during OTAs.

Lucas Crowley: Undrafted free agent center from North Carolina.

Will Holden: Drafted in the fifth round from Vanderbilt, he has great size and could be the future swing tackle or starter.

D.J. Humphries: 2015 first-round pick expected to start at left tackle.

Mike Iupati: Needs to remain healthy, as he played through injuries last year.

Ulrick John: Will compete with Holden as a swing tackle. Good size but must become stronger.

Dorian Johnson: A third-round draft pick (2017) and could be the future right or left guard.

Kaleb Johnson: Guard who signed a futures contract in January and is eligible for the practice squad.

Jonathan McLaughlin: Undrafted free agent tackle from Virginia Tech.

Daniel Munyer: Signed futures contract. Can play center and guard.

Givens Price: Spent most of the season on the practice squad.

Cole Toner: Drafted from Harvard last year, he provides depth but must gain strength.

Jared Veldheer: Making the switch to right tackle, it’s also a big year for him contract-wise.

John Wetzel: Can play all four positions but must settle on one.

RUNNING BACKS (6)

Andre Ellington: As a utility player getting reps at wide receiver before being moved back to running back, Ellington will need to make the roster.

David Johnson: Ran for 1,239 yards with 16 rushing touchdowns. 879 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

T.J. Logan: Drafted in the fifth round from North Carolina and is expected to be the kick-returner. He also provides depth at running back.

Elijhaa Penny: Big back that needs to find a role on the Cardinals’ offense, Penny was too heavy last year at 250 pounds. He’s down to 235.

James Summers: Undrafted free agent from East Carolina.

Kerwynn Williams: Over the last couple years has proven that he’s worthy of a roster spot.

WIDE RECEIVERS (13)

Carlton Agudosi: Undrafted free agent with good size (6-foot-6, 220 pounds), he’s a practice squad option.

Jaron Brown: The MVP at training camp last year is coming off a torn ACL.

John Brown: Dealt with an illness last year but expected to return at full strength.

Marquis Bundy: Was arrested in the offseason and will need to make the roster.

Larry Clark: Undrafted free agent from Colorado State-Pueblo.

Aaron Dobson: The 2013 second-round pick by the Patriots has an opportunity to make the roster.

Larry Fitzgerald: Returns for one more season; could this be last season before he’s headed to the HOF?

Brittan Golden: Provides depth and plays on special teams.

Krishawn Hogan: Undrafted free agent from Marian. He’s a practice squad option.

Chris Hubert: Speedy wide receiver and needs to win one of the return jobs.

J.J. Nelson: An improved player that gives the Cardinals a deep threat.

Jeremy Ross: Added to the roster late in the year and must earn a roster spot.

Chad Williams: Third-round pick and if he played in power five conferences, could have been higher.

TIGHT ENDS (6)

Jermaine Gresham: The expected starter caught only 37 passes for 391 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Ifeanyi Momah: Placed on injured reserve last year and possesses raw talent.

Troy Niklas: Second-round pick in 2014 with freak injuries and hasn’t lived up to expectations.

Ricky Seals-Jones: The undrafted free agent from Texas A&M played wide receiver in college.

Hakeem Valles: Will need to earn a roster spot and improve on special teams.

Steven Wroblewski: Undrafted free agent from Southern Utah (6-foot-7, 252 pounds).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (10)

Rodney Gunter: He’s expected to rotate with Nkemdiche and Pierre and is a former starter.

Josh Mauro: Signed contract extension in offseason and is one of most underrated players on roster.

Robert Nkemdiche: The first-round pick (2016) with a disappointing season is expected to make jump in year two.

Corey Peters: Lunch pail guy, doesn’t receive the credit he deserves, occupies lineman.

Olsen Pierre: On the 53-man roster last year but didn’t play in a single game.

Frostee Rucker: Returning for his 12th season and expected to be part of the rotation.

Ed Stinson: Made to switch from linebacker a few years ago and needs to earn a roster spot.

Pasoni Tasini: Undrafted free agent from Utah.

Xavier Williams: Depth guy that creates double teams, allows linebackers to shoot the gaps.

LINEBACKERS (14)

Alex Bazzie: Undrafted free agent from Marshall.

Deone Bucannon: The Cardinals picked up his fifth-year option $8.9 million in 2018, but he missed three games at the end of last season. He will camp on PUP.

Cap Capi: Entering his second year, he’s a practice squad option.

Karlos Dansby: Over the last five years, he made 571 tackles. The Cardinals think he has something left.

Alani Fua: Can play both inside and outside, and is a good special teams player.

Markus Golden: He led the team in sacks last year and plays with his hair on fire.

Zaviar Gooden: Signed to Cardinals’ practice squad on November 11 and was promoted to the active roster three weeks later.

Chandler Jones: 27 years old with 41 sacks in the last four years and he signed a five-year deal to remain under contract through 2021.

Jarvis Jones: Needs to be more consistent and make more impact plays when the game is on the line.

Tre’Von Johnson: Undrafted free agent from Weber State.

Kareem Martin: Made a positional change and provides depth at outside linebacker and on special teams.

Gabe Martin: On injured reserve last year, he was missed on special teams.

Haason Reddick: Can play multiple positions and is expected to contribute in his first year.

Scooby Wright: Claimed off the Browns practice squad a year ago as a good special teams player. He adds depth at inside linebacker.

SECONDARY (17)

Budda Baker: A second-round pick, he can play multiple positions and is expected to contribute immediately.

Antoine Bethea: A true pro, what does the 32-year-old have left in the tank?

Justin Bethel: Took a pay cut and could be a starter in week one.

Eli Bouka: Placed on injured reserve list and could be a practice squad option.

Tyvon Branch: On injured reserve list for the last two years, he took a pay cut for another shot with the Cardinals.

Rudy Ford: Drafted in the sixth round, he played multiple positions and should contribute on special teams.

Ironhead Gallon: Undrafted free agent from Georgia Southern.

Daniel Gray: Undrafted free agent from Utah State.

Tyrann Mathieu: Must remain healthy. An impact player when healthy.

Gump Hayes: Undrafted free agent from Arizona State.

Ryan Lewis: Undrafted free agent from Pittsburgh.

Harlan Miller: Can play both corner and safety; is considered a combo defensive back.

Patrick Peterson: Going into his seventh season, he has been in the Pro Bowl each year he’s been in league.

Jumal Rolle: A four-year veteran who has played in 19 games, he’s coming off a torn Achilles last year with the Ravens.

Sojourn Shelton: Undrafted free agent from Wisconsin. Shelton has the highest Cardinals undrafted free agent signing bonus of $25,000.

Brandon Williams: A 2016 third-round pick, he struggled to learn a new position last year.

Ronald Zamort: Added to the practice squad late in the year last year.

Special Teams (4)

Aaron Brewer: Cardinals added in the first month of the season after struggling with a rookie long snapper (Kam Canaday).

Phil Dawson: After signing a two-year contract, he is expected to help win close games with clutch kicks.

Richie Leone: The punter was signed to future contracts from the CFL.

Matt Wile: He was added to the roster after two punters were released (Drew Butler & Ryan Quigley). Favorite to win the punter job.

Follow @mikejurecki