Opinion: Thoughts on the Arizona Cardinals’ second depth chart
Aug 9, 2017, 2:28 PM | Updated: Aug 10, 2017, 11:25 am
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) throws against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game in Canton, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cardinals have released their second depth chart heading into the preseason game against the Raiders on Saturday. Let’s go through some of the position battles for the final 53-man roster.
QB (4)
Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, Trevor Knight
How Gabbert performs in the next four preseason games will dictate how many quarterbacks they keep on the active roster.
Offensive line three deep (15)
LT D.J. Humphries, John Wetzel, Givens Price
LG Mike Iupati, Kaleb Johnson, Will Holden
C A.Q. Shipley, Cole Toner, Daniel Munyer
RG Evan Boehm, Tony Bergstrom, Dorian Johnson
RT Jared Veldheer, Ulrick John, Jonathan McLaughlin
The Cardinals will likely keep eight or nine linemen.
Wide receivers (6)
Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, Chad Williams
John Brown, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden
Barring any injuries, they’ll keep six on the roster.
Running backs (4)
David Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington
Elijhaa Penny is practice squad eligible.
Defensive line (9)
DT Josh Mauro, Olsen Pierre, Xavier Williams
NT Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Pasoni Tasini
DT Frostee Rucker, Robert Nkemdiche, Ed Stinson
Last year, they carried nine on the active roster, but it’s possible they keep seven or eight.
Linebackers (12)
SAM Chandler Jones, Jarvis Jones, Cap Capi
$LB Haason Reddick, Scooby Wright, Josh Bynes (Deone Bucannon)
ILB Karlos Dansby, Philip Wheeler, Zavier Gooden
WILL Markus Golden, Kareem Martin, Alex Bazzie
Wright was running with the third string yesterday in practice, and it’s safe to say he’s on the bubble. Keep an eye on Josh Bynes, who totaled 209 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, a half sack, one interception, 14 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 64 games (28 starts) with the Lions and Ravens since 2011. He will get a chance to compete for a backup spot.
Cornerbacks (6)
LCB Patrick Peterson, Tramon Williams, Harlan Miller
RCB Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Sojourn Shelton
Depending on if they add another player when rosters are cut, the top CBs are Peterson, Bethel, Tramon Williams and Brandon Williams.
Safeties (6)
SS Antoine Bethea, Tyvon Branch, Ironhead Gallon
FS Tyrann Mathieu, Budda Baker, Rudy Ford
They could keep five. Ironhead Gallon is practice squad eligible.
Special teams
KR Kerwynn Williams, Brittan Golden, Jeremy Ross, Chad Williams
PR Kerwynn Williams, Jeremy Ross, Rudy Ford, Chad Williams
P Matt Wile, Richie Leone
H Matt Wile, Richie Leone
K Phil Dawson
Both punters have been inconsistent. In the next four-preseason games, they must show improvement, otherwise the Cardinals could find another punter before the season starts.
