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The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for their season opener on the road against the Washington Commanders. They have a vastly different roster. It is quite young.
In fact, of the 53 players on the roster, 11 are rookies. They have seven of their nine draft picks on the 53-man roster (with one on season-ending injured reserve and one on NFI for not). One of their own undrafted rookies made the team. They added three rookies, including two undrafted rookies, to the roster after final cuts via waivers.
Buy Cardinals TicketsCheck out the rookies below.
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OL Paris Johnson
![](https://cardswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/08/USATSI_21196827.jpg)
Johnson was the Cardinals’ first-round pick. He is their starting right tackle.
LB BJ Ojulari
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Ojulari was drafted in the second round. He will likely be in the defensive rotation.
WR Michael Wilson
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Wilson was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round and is listed as a starting receiver in Week 1.
QB Clayton Tune
![](https://cardswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/08/USATSI_21281364.jpg)
Tune was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round and might start in Week 1, even though that is considered unlikely.
LB Owen Pappoe
![](https://cardswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/05/USATSI_20652318.jpg)
Pappoe was also draft by the Cardinals in the fifth round. He probably will play special teams only.
CB KeiTrel Clark
![](https://cardswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/08/USATSI_21190073.jpg)
The Cardinals selected Clark in the sixth round of the draft. He is listed as a starting cornerback for Week 1.
DL Dante Stills
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Stills made the roster as a seventh-round pick. We will see if he ends up bing active on game days.
RB Emari Demercado
![](https://cardswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/08/USATSI_21236902.jpg)
Demercado made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie out of TCU. He is the Cardinals’ No. 3 running back.
TE Elijah Higgins
![](https://cardswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/08/USATSI_21190247.jpg)
The Cardinals claimed Higgins off waivers. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Dolphins but did not make the team. He is now the No. 4 tight end on the roster.
OL Ilm Manning
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Manning was an undrafted rookie who signed with the 49ers. The Cardinals claimed him off waivers and he is listed as their backup left guard.
CB Starling Thomas
![](https://cardswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2023/08/USATSI_21234482.jpg)
Thomas was an undrafted rookie who signed with the Lions but he didn’t make the team and the Cardinals claimed him. He could play special teams in Week 1.
OL Jon Gaines, CB Garrett Williams
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Gaines is on injured reserve but with the team. Williams is on NFI and could be activated to the 53-man roster at some point.