Cardinals
and intriguing backups who will deserve their share of carries. Coleman is the featured fullback in two-back sets, and with Foster gone for the season, Penny joins this group because of his versatility at both positions and his prowess on special teams.
Wide receiver (6) – Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Chad Williams, Brice Butler, J.J. Nelson, Greg Little
Fitzgerald’s played his best football each of the last three years, but he’s going to need help. It will be interesting to see which other receivers here can step up. Kirk will be exciting to watch, but can Williams and Butler deliver? Little nabs the last spot ahead of Trent Sherfield, the undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt.
Tight end (3) – Jermain Gresham, Ricky Seals-Jones, Gabe Holmes
A healthy Gresham will provide some stability and Seals-Jones has shown the potential to be a pass-catching playmaker. The Cardinals will need him to become a better blocker, however, and that’s where Holmes can excel when he plays. The team might look for an improvement here, however.
Offensive line (10) – D.J. Humphries, Mike Iupati, Mason Cole, Justin Pugh, Andre Smith, John Wetzel, Evan Boehm, Daniel Munyer, Will Holden, Korey Cunningham
The starting five are very good run blockers, which will be essential to the Cardinals’ power running attack led by Johnson. Cole, the rookie, has been holding his own. The backup depth is decent, but not great. One or two spots here could change; don’t count guard Josh Allen out of the mix.
Defensive line (9) – Chandler Jones, Corey Peters, Robert Nkemdiche, Golden, Olsen Pierre, Benson Mayowa, Rodney Gunter, Vontarrius Dora, Cap Capi
This group is capable of causing a lot of disruption and generating a ton of sacks. But there are some question marks, too. Can the front four be dominant when stopping the run? Will Nkemdiche stay healthy and prove he belongs in the league? Is Golden ready to return to 2016 form?
Linebacker (6) – Haason Reddick, Deonne Bucannon, Josh Bynes, Gerald Hodges, Scooby Wright, Edmond Robinson
This unit could either be one of the team’s biggest strengths or its primary weakness. It all depends on the three starters in Reddick, Bucannon and Bynes, who will be asked to do a lot in the team’s new 4-3 scheme. Don’t be surprised if GM Steve Keim picks over the reserves and, at some point, makes a change or two.
Cornerback (4) – Patrick Peterson, Jamar Taylor, Bene Benwikere, Chris Campbell
If Taylor can be the No. 2 corner the Cardinals have long been searching for, this unit should not only flourish but be dominant. Peterson is playing the best football of his life and will thrive even more in the team’s zone-coverage scheme. Benwikere is a very capable backup, and there’s potential in the rookie Campbell.
Safety (4) – Antoine Bethea, Tre Boston, Budda Baker, Rudy Ford
Expect a ton of splash plays out of this group, especially when the Triple B’s – Bethea, Boston and Baker – are on the field at the same time. They’ll move all over the place in coordinator Al Holcomb’s defense and, like Peterson, will be an anchor when it comes to takeaways. Ford is starting to come into his own.
Specialists (3) – K Phil Dawson, P Andy Lee, LS Aaron Brewer
It’s the same trio that started last season and things likely won’t change unless Dawson struggles badly out of the gate. He has been pushed this preseason by rookie Matt McCrane, but you’ve got to think Wilks will stick with the veteran. Lee remains one of the best punters in the league and Brewer is always reliable.
Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday afternoon between 3-6 on 1580-AM The Fanatic with Roc and Manuch and every Wednesday afternoon between 1-3 on Fox Sports 910AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.