Under-the-radar Cardinals who can help flip the script in 2026

If the Arizona Cardinals are going to pull off a one-year turnaround, it’s going to take much more than the usual suspects on the roster.

Of course, Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Walter Nolen III, Josh Sweat, Will Johnson and other notable names need to show out on a weekly basis.

But it’s the under-the-radar Cardinals who could ultimately be the deciding factor between another losing season or a surprise bounce back.

Under-the-radar Cardinals to watch in 2026

Big Bill

The Cardinals have a versatile nose tackle situation this year.

Roy Lopez brings more finesse and technique to the position, while Andrew Billings brings the added oomph.

And that might be putting it lightly.

 

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The 6-foot-1, 340-pounder is a certified hole plugger. You can’t miss him. He might not be able to game you with moves, but he has no problem going through you.

For a team that needs a serious step up in the trenches, especially against the run, Billings is a sneaky addition that could really pay off. Arizona must improve its run defense if it wants to have any chance at succeeding in 2026. Last year, the Cardinals were in the bottom 10 for rushing yards per game (126.9) and touchdowns (19).

On top of what he brings to the defense, he’s also a solid locker room presence. People love them some Big Bill, as Zaven Collins (and just about everyone) likes to call him.

Adding more to the plate

Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke carved out an impressive role for himself as a rookie last year.

The 2025 fifth-rounder made the most of his reps in 17 games (eight starts) and ended the season pacing the team in both interceptions (three) and passes defensed (11).

He’s since picked up where he’s left off, jostling with Max Melton for the CB2 role throughout training camp and the preseason.

Even if he’s technically not among the first ones out there on Sundays, he’s very much a part of Arizona’s equation. It’s not just on the outside, either.

With Sean Murphy-Bunting getting the boot during initial 53-man roster cuts, there’s suddenly an opening at nickel behind Garrett Williams.

And it appears to be Burke’s to fill, with Mike LaFleur pinpointing the Ohio State alum as next man up.

Clearly, the cornerback showed enough to convince the coaching staff that Murphy-Bunting was expendable, despite the veteran getting the first team nods early in training camp.

There’s no denying Williams is the first option in the slot. In a defense that puts a lot on the nickel’s plate, it’s one of the most important roles on the field.

Adding Burke as a secondary option doesn’t hurt by any means. In fact, it allows defensive coordinator Nick Rallis to get a little more creative with coverages, knowing he could flip the cornerbacks at a moment’s notice without seeing a massive drop-off like in previous seasons.

Burke putting more on his plate is only going to help his overall growth.

Opportunity awaits?

Right guards are having a hard time this camp and preseason.

First, it was rookie Chase Bisontis going down with a season-ending MCL tear. Just like that, a potential starter was on the shelf before the regular season.

Now, Isaiah Adams is dealing with his own knee issues and has been absent from practice.

LaFleur said Adams is progressing really well, but until he’s back on the field with no restrictions, his status remains up in the air.

If he is still working his way back or just can’t hang onto his role due to inconsistent play, Jon Gaines II is waiting in the wings.

Already a lock as Arizona’s backup center behind Hjalte Froholdt, Gaines took a step forward at both guard spots this camp and preseason.

He was among the standouts from the work and even added some more nastiness to his game with a couple of dustups with Darius Robinson and others.

After missing his rookie year due to injury, Gaines has been trending up slowly but surely.

Pass-catching maulers

Trey McBride gets most of the love inside the tight ends room. It’s not hard to see why, just look at his stat line.

But it’s unsung hero Tip Reiman doing the dirty work in the trenches that really helps the offense roll.

Reiman may not be completely under the radar given what he’s put on tape in recent seasons. He’s an honorary offensive lineman for a reason.

He still gets overlooked by many when it comes to overall offensive impact, though. He also can’t impact the game until at least Week 5 with his place on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

Arizona’s run game was littered with injuries to the backfield and offensive line. It’s no surprise it was one of the worst in the league last year.

Losing Reiman for most of the year was among the biggest blows, though.

And while he’s out to start this season, once he’s back in the mix, a jump in production should follow.

It’s also not solely on him to be that mauler.

Arizona beefed up its tight ends room ahead of 53-man roster cuts by trading for Hunter Long.

With an already established relationship with LaFleur and a clear skillset that revolves around blocking the best of them, he starts with the baton.

Teagan Quitoriano is another name who could and should see practice squad elevations this season after getting a ton of work with the first-team offense in camp.

Gibb and the kid

The Cardinals could use all the pass-rushing help they can get based on the sheer drop-off in production behind Josh Sweat.

Inside linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. has been outspoken about impacting that part of the game.

“I’ve been begging Nick to put me on the edge a little bit,” Wilson told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke during the preseason. “That’s a part of my game teams don’t really know, a lot of players don’t really know. That’s something I can use to my advantage.”

Jack Gibbens and Cody Simon can help with that.

Gibbens has clearly made an impact on the coaching staff, as he appears to have the upper hand on Simon for the spot opposite Wilson heading into Week 1. He brings another veteran presence to the room and is coming off a run to the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.

Simon, meanwhile, is coming off drinking from a fire hose as a rookie and taking over for Wilson when the vet was hurt. Growing pains were evident, but he settled in and has only taken steps forward this camp and preseason.

 

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It’s clear Wilson is a key cog as Arizona’s starting MIKE backer. When he was off the field, the defense struggled as a whole.

But if he can get a handful of plays pressuring the quarterback, that could be a wrinkle that makes up for some of the franchise’s pass-rushing deficiencies.

Keep Buggin’

Kitan Crawford’s special teams play doesn’t need much explaining. He gets after it on that side of the ball. It was a big reason he saw the field last year with 319 snaps.

But it’s been his defensive presence this camp and preseason that could have him getting more run as a second-year pro.

Bringing the boom like Budda Baker and Andrew Wingard, Crawford caught the attention of plenty with his safety blitzes and improved coverage.

Again, the more this team can manufacture pressure the better.

Could be something special

Speaking of special teams, rookie inside linebacker Karson Sharar has made his name for himself in a hurry.

He brings the want-to and athleticism to be a factor in multiple situations.

There’s a reason he cracked the initial 53-man roster over veteran Owen Pappoe and others.

Sharar does special things on special teams.

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