Cardinals 53-man roster projection ahead of cutdown day

The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up their preseason slate on Friday night in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Now, all the focus turns to initial 53-man roster cuts with cutdown day on Sunday.

But before the 3 p.m. MST deadline rolls around, a final projection of how Arizona’s roster might look once the dust settles this weekend:

Cardinals’ 53-man roster projection ahead of cutdown day

Quarterbacks (3)

– Jacoby Brissett
– Gardner Minshew II
– Carson Beck

There’s a world where Beck starts the season on injured reserve with a designation to return. For 53-man roster cuts, the Cardinals can place no more than two players on IR with the designation.

He hasn’t practiced in weeks, and the move would open up another roster spot for Arizona.

However, making that call means the rookie misses out on valuable practice reps. Beck has already missed out on plenty with the rib discomfort.

I just don’t think they stunt his growth with an IR move.

As for Gardner Minshew II, he is still on the roster here but represents a candidate to get moved given the makeup of the room and where Arizona is headed.

After all, Jacoby Brissett is the Week 1 starter. He’s going to get his shot until the wheels fall off. Beck, meanwhile, has a chance to be the next franchise signal-caller in Arizona and needs game reps sooner rather than later.

Running backs (4)

– Jeremiyah Love
– Tyler Allgeier
– James Conner
– Bam Knight

James Conner avoided the PUP list to start camp but has yet to do any team activities.

He’s been pulled back a bit from his individual work at practice, too.

Conner could start the year on injured reserve with a designation to return. If that’s the case, the Cardinals could look at keeping Corey Kiner or Evan Hull on the initial 53-man roster or use the added spot elsewhere.

Wide receivers (6)

– Marvin Harrison Jr.
– Michael Wilson
– Kendrick Bourne
– Devin Duvernay
– Reggie Virgil
– Jalen Brooks

One of those extra roster spots could be utilized in the wide receivers room, especially after Simi Fehoko’s stellar finish to the preseason.

Even with his two-touchdown night, Fehoko is still on the outside looking in when it comes to making the initial roster.

Much like last year, he’s right at the top of the list for the practice squad and has a good chance to work his way back into the regular season mix thanks to his special teams versatility.

Even with Mr. Preseason jostling for position, Jalen Brooks gets the nod for the final roster spot in the room after he flashed his consistency throughout training camp practices and the preseason.

Virgil, meanwhile, had some spectacular catches blended in with some tough drops. He’s on the up and up, though, and is a 2026 fifth-round pick. I just don’t see Arizona giving up on him that fast.

Tight ends (3)

– Trey McBride
– Teagan Quitoriano
– Elijah Higgins

Tip Reiman starts the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. I could see the Cardinals scouring the waiver wire for another blocking tight end after cuts are made.

Rivaldo Fairweather is a practice squad candidate, too, though he did have quite a few penalties this preseason — including two nullified touchdowns on the same drive against the Dallas Cowboys.

Offensive line (9)

– Paris Johnson Jr.
– Isaac Seumalo
– Hjalte Froholdt
– Isaiah Adams
– Elijah Wilkinson
– Josh Fryar
– Jon Gaines II
– Hayden Conner
– Jayden Williams

Keep an eye on Isaiah Adams, who is dealing with a knee injury and did not travel with the team to Green Bay.

Outside of his diagnosis, this room looks about set.

Defensive line (6)

– Darius Robinson
– Walter Nolen III
– Roy Lopez
– Andrew Billings
– Dante Stills
– L.J. Collier

I don’t see any crazy roster moves happening in the DL room.

Outside linebackers (5)

– Josh Sweat
– Zaven Collins
– Baron Browning
– Jordan Burch
– Eku Leota

BJ Ojulari put his best foot forward on Friday night, highlighted by his 1.5 sacks.

It was good to see from the 2023 second-rounder, but also likely too little too late.

On top of Ojulari looking out of sorts throughout most of the preseason, Eku Leota emerged for that final roster spot thanks to his constant pressure and special teams ability.

Inside linebackers (4)

– Mack Wilson Sr.
– Cody Simon
– Jack Gibbens
– Karson Sharar

Owen Pappoe could be a practice squad option.

Cornerbacks (6)

– Will Johnson
– Garrett Williams
– Denzel Burke
– Max Melton
– Sean Murphy-Bunting
– Elijah Jones

Starling Thomas V made up some ground for the final roster spot in the cornerbacks room on Friday, but likely not enough to pass Elijah Jones.

But with Jones not necessarily shutting the door on rounding the room, Kei’Trel Clark is a dark-horse candidate for that last spot.

Safety (4)

– Budda Baker
– Andrew Wingard
– Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson
– Kitan “Bug” Crawford

Nothing to write home about here. Arizona’s safeties room is loaded.

Kicker (1)

– Chad Ryland

Punter (1)

– Blake Gillikin

How he is recovering from a groin injury could impact things.

Long snapper (1)

– Casey Kreiter

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