ARIZONA CARDINALS

‘Pleasant surprise’ Daniel Munyer cracks Cardinals’ 53-man roster

Sep 5, 2017, 8:40 AM | Updated: 11:54 am
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Pasoni Tasini (65) tries to shed a block from offensive lineman...
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Pasoni Tasini (65) tries to shed a block from offensive lineman Daniel Munyer (62) during an NFL football training camp Monday, July 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
LISTEN: Steve Keim, AZ Cardinals GM

When the Arizona Cardinals’ 53-man roster was revealed Saturday afternoon, there were a couple of surprises.

Perhaps the biggest was the inclusion of offensive lineman Daniel Munyer.

The 25-year-old was undrafted out of Colorado in 2015 and spent two seasons bouncing on and off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. He signed to the Cardinals practice squad last December and inked a future contract a week later.

An afterthought heading into camp, Munyer impressed general manager Steve Keim enough to earn a roster spot over the likes of second-year player Cole Toner (waived), rookie fourth-round pick Dorian Johnson (waived and re-signed to practice squad) and veteran Tony Bergstrom (traded to Baltimore).

“He has been one of the pleasant surprises of camp,” Keim told Doug and Wolf Tuesday on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station. “I think we had talked about it a couple of weeks ago that Kareem Martin, in my opinion, has been the most improved player. Daniel Munyer may have been the most pleasant surprise.

“He’s a natural knee-bender, he’s got great movement. He does a nice job climbing to the second level and sustaining blocks in space.”

Munyer figures to serve as the team’s backup center, behind starter A.Q. Shipley.

“He’s earned it. He’s done a great job,” Keim said. “He’s one of those types of players who came into the league on a practice squad and he’s just gotten better and better. He’s done everything right.

“He’s the kind of guy I think we can count on when in terms of depth and if you have an injury, you can plug him in and he can play and you can certainly win with him.”

If Munyer dresses for the Cardinals’ season-opener Sunday in Detroit, it will be only his second regular-season NFL game. He played one special teams snap for the Chiefs in Week 13 of the 2015 season — a 34-20 win over the Oakland Raiders. Munyer also saw a total of nine snaps (five on offense and four on special teams) in Kansas City’s 30-0 Wild Card win over Houston that same season.

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
13 hours ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
13 hours ago
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins trade talks heating up, per report

Interested teams in Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins are ramping up, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
13 hours ago
Zach Pascal #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with WR Zach Pascal, QB David Blough

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal and QB David Blough on a two- and one-year deal, respectively, the team announced.
2 days ago
A general view as the Arizona Cardinals make their #1 overall draft pick during the first round of ...
Tyler Drake

Here is where the Cardinals own draft picks in 2023

The Arizona Cardinals have eight picks to work with this upcoming NFL Draft, five of their own and three compensatory selections.
2 days ago
General manager Monti Ossenfort of the Arizona Cardinals answers a question from the media during a...
Arizona Sports

What is behind the Cardinals’ quiet start to free agency?

What should we make of Arizona's first week of free agency? Are the Cardinals setting up a rough 2023 season?
2 days ago
‘Pleasant surprise’ Daniel Munyer cracks Cardinals’ 53-man roster