Birdseed: How the 2017 Arizona Cardinals were built

PHOENIX — Since January, the Arizona Cardinals have made a total of 146 transactions, including free agency signings, NFL Draft picks, rookie free agent signings, released and re-signed players, trade acquisitions, waived-injured players and practice squad additions.

Of the 53 players on the Cardinals’ current roster, 36 appeared in at least one game for Arizona last season.

The Cards have added nine veteran free agents and five draft picks this season. In all, 14 of the 53 players (26.4 percent) on the current roster were not with Arizona during the 2016 season.

Of the 45 players who started at least one game for Arizona last season, 30 return in 2017.

Below is a look at Arizona’s roster turnover by season under general manager Steve Keim:

Regular season, Week 1 new players on roster (percentage) for 2013-17

2013 – 26 (49.1%)
2014 – 18 (33.9)
2015 – 17 (32.1)
2016 – 11 (20.8)
2017 – 14 (26.4)

Below is a breakdown of the 53-man roster:

Draft picks (22)

2004 – Larry Fitzgerald (1st round)
2011 – Patrick Peterson (1)
2012 – Justin Bethel (6a)
2013 – Tyrann Mathieu (3), Andre Ellington (6b)
2014 – Deone Bucannon (1), Troy Niklas (2), Kareem Martin (3) John Brown (3)
2015 – D.J. Humphries (1), Markus Golden (2) David Johnson (3) Rodney Gunter (4), J.J. Nelson (5b)
2016 – Robert Nkemdiche (1), Brandon Williams (3), Evan Boehm (4)
2017 – Haason Reddick (1), Budda Baker (2), Chad Williams (3), Will Holden (5a), T.J. Logan (5b), Rudy Ford (6)

Free agents (21)

2013 – Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden, Frostee Rucker, Drew Stanton
2014 – Josh Mauro, Jared Veldheer, Kerwynn Williams
2015 – Jermaine Gresham, Mike Iupati, Ifeanyi Momah, Corey Peters, Olsen Pierre, A.Q. Shipley, John Wetzel, Xavier Williams
2016 – Tyvon Branch, Aaron Brewer, Ulrick John, Daniel Munyer, Elijhaa Penny
2017 – Antoine Bethea, Alex Boone, Josh Bynes, Karlos Dansby, Blaine Gabbert, Andy Lee, Philip Wheeler, Tramon Williams

Trades (2)

2013 – Carson Palmer from Oakland
2016 – Chandler Jones from New England

Waivers (0)

How two other NFL teams compare to the Cardinals roster:

Cardinals (53)
Draft picks – 22
Free agents – 29
Waivers/trades – 2

Patriots (53)
Draft picks – 23
Free agents – 21
Waivers/trades – 9

Seahawks (53)
Draft picks – 25
Free agents – 20
Trades/Waivers/PS – 8

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