Mapping out the Arizona Cardinals’ roster ahead of camp
Jul 18, 2017, 5:24 AM | Updated: 12:37 pm
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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.
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