Entering tonight’s game against the Broncos, Cards coach Bruce Arians says 12 players are fighting for four open roster spots.
By Saturday at 1 p.m., every NFL team must have no more than 53 players on its active roster. That obviously creates tension for many players, including some of the 75 currently employed by the Cardinals.
“They go fast in a walk-through,” coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday. “And that’s OK.”
Entering the final preseason game Thursday against the Broncos, Arians estimated there are 12 players competing for four open spots.
Those lucky four players, however, shouldn’t celebrate too much if they are on the roster Saturday. In the three previous years under Arians and General Manager Steve Keim, the Cardinals constantly stirred the bottom of the roster.
Someone signing means someone else is out of a job.
But making the initial 53-man roster is a victory of sorts for many players.
Here’s a guess at how it will look.
Quarterbacks (2)
In: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton. Out: Matt Barkley.
Analysis: Barkley hasn’t played well enough to warrant a roster spot. Carrying only two quarterbacks on the roster means the Cardinals are likely to have one on the 10-man practice squad. Barkley could end up there.
Running backs (4)
In: David Johnson, Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington, Stepfan Taylor.
Out: Kerwynn Williams, Elijhaa Penny.
Analysis: Williams and Penny will get plenty of playing time against the Broncos. Williams has proved he can be productive in the NFL. He played in 11 games the past two years, gaining 388 yards and averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. With Ellington as the kick returner, Williams has no role on special teams so it’s hard to see him making the roster.
Wide receivers (6)
In: Larry Fitzgerald,
Michael Floyd, John Brown, Jaron Brown, J.J. Nelson, Brittan Golden.
Out: Marquis Bundy, Chris Hubert, Jaxon Shipley.
Analysis: Golden gets the final spot over Hubert and Shipley because he contributes so much on special teams. A rookie free agent, Hubert impressed during training camp and could end up on the practice squad.
Shipley spent all last season on the practice squad and might be headed there again.
Tight ends (3)
In: Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, Darren Fells.
Out: Ifeanyi Momah, Hakeem Valles.
Analysis: I debated whether to put Momah on my 53-man roster, but I’m guessing the Cardinals find a spot for someone who contributes more on special teams.
Offensive line (9)
In: T Jared Veldheer, G Mike Iupati, C A.Q. Shipley, G Evan Mathis, T D.J. Humphries, T/G/C Earl Watford, C Evan Boehm, G Cole Toner, T John Wetzel. Out: G/C Taylor Boggs, T Rob Crisp, G Antoine McClain, T Givens Price. Analysis: Wetzel was a questionable choice but the Cardinals needed a second backup tackle to go with Watford. The roo- kies, Boehm and Toner, played well in the preseason but likely will be inactive on most game days.
Defensive line (8)
In: Calais Campbell, Corey Peters, Josh Mauro, Frostee Rucker, Ed Stinson, Robert Nkemdiche, Rodney Gunter, Xavier Williams.
Out: Red Bryant, Olsen Pierre.
Analysis: Eight is a lot of defensive linemen for essentially three positions. This is one of the deeper positions on the team, so the Cardinals might go heavy in numbers here.
I put Williams on the 53 man but I could see him getting released and resigned to the practice squad. Bryant’s age, 32, works against him.
Stinson is the wild card here. He’s missed considerable time with a core injury.
Linebackers (8)
In: Markus Golden, Chandler Jones, Kevin Minter, Deone Bucannon, Alex Okafor, Alani Fua, Kareem Martin, Lamar Louis.
Out: Donald Butler, Gabe Martin, Tristan Okpalaugo, Shaq Riddick.
Analysis: Louis is a bit of a surprise pick here, but he’s played well on special teams. Upgrading those teams has been a priority since last season ended. It looks like a roster spot will come down to Louis or Gabe Martin.
Cornerbacks (4)
In: Patrick Peterson, Brandon Williams, Justin Bethel, Cariel Brooks.
Out: Trevor Hartfield, Harlan Miller, Ronald Zamort.
Analysis: That’s not a lot of cornerbacks, but the Cardinals have two safeties, Tyrann Mathieu and Tyvon Branch, who can play nickel corner and cover slot receivers.
A sixth-round pick, Miller isn’t ready to contribute and could go on the practice squad.
Safeties (6)
In: Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson, D.J. Swearinger, Tyvon Branch, Marqui Christian, Chris Clemons. Out: Matthias Farley.
Analysis: That’s a lot of safeties, but as mentioned above, a couple of those guys have great flexibility. Clemons backs up Bucannon at inside linebacker.
Specialists (3)
In: punter Drew Butler, kicker Chandler Catanzaro, long snapper Cameron Kanaday.
Out: No one. This might be the only position group I get right.