The Arizona Cardinals will face the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend in Week 1 and they released their first depth chart of the season.
Since they did not have a true depth chart in the preseason, this is the first look we have at what roles players could have.
It has a few surprises.
Check out the depth chart below and any observations and takeaways that there are.
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Quarterback
- Kyler Murray
- Colt McCoy
There is nothing surprising here, although we might see a roster move by the end of the week. McCoy appears to still be banged up and the Cardinals brought in Jarrett Guarantano for a visit on Tuesday. Trace McSorley might get elevated to back up Murray on Sunday.
Running back
- James Conner
- Eno Benjamin or Darrel Williams
- Jonathan Ward
- Keaontay Ingram
The Cardinals did not put Benjamin or Williams over the other. They are co-No. 2 backs.
Wide receiver
‘X’ receiver
- Rondale Moore
- Andy Isabella
‘Z’ receiver
- A.J. Green
Slot receiver
- Marquise Brown
- Greg Dortch
Hello, hello! Moore is at the ‘X’ where DeAndre Hopkins normally would play. We will have to see how they end up being used, but Moore and Brown might both see time in the slot and outside.
Green has no real backup and Isabella will be the backup ‘X’.
Tight end
- Zach Ertz
- Maxx Williams
- Trey McBride
- Stephen Anderson
There is nothing surprising here.
Offensive line
Left tackle
- D.J. Humphries
- Josh Jones
Left guard
- Justin Pugh
- Cody Ford
Center
- Rodney Hudson
- Sean Harlow
- Lecitus Smith
Right guard
- Will Hernandez
- Cody Ford
Right tackle
- Kelvin Beachum
- Josh Jones
It would appear that Smith will be inactive for games. Everyone else’s role is what has been expected.
Defensive line
Defensive end
- J.J. Watt
- Michael Dogbe
Nose tackle
- Rashard Lawrence
- Leki Fotu
Defensive tackle
- Zach Allen
- Jonathan Lebetter
This all is as expected.
Inside linebacker
MIKE
- Zaven Collins
- Nick Vigil
- Ben Niemann
MO/Star
- Isaiah Simmons
- Zeke Turner or Tanner Vallejo
The surprise of this group his how much Turner has progressed, earning a tie at No. 2 with Vallejo, a player the coaches trust a lot.
With Simmons set to play a variety of roles, it will likely be a lot of Collins and Vigil.
Outside linebacker
Strong side
- Markus Golden
- Devon Kennard
- Cameron Thomas
Weak side
- Dennis Gardeck
- Victor Dimukeje
- Myjai Sanders
The curious part of this is having Kennard listed, who is not even on the 53-man roster. He is on the practice squad. Are we to expect that he will be elevated? Perhaps.
Cornerback
One side
- Byron Murphy
- Trayvon Mullen Jr.
Other side
- Marco Wilson
- Christian Matthew
- Javelin Guidry
Nothing here is a surprise.
Safety
Strong safety
- Budda Baker
Free safety
- Jalen Thompson
- Deionte Thompson
There isn’t much to be done here with only three on the roster.
Specialists
Kicker
- Matt Prater
Punter
- Andy Lee
Long snapper
- Aaron Brewer
Holder
- Andy Lee
Kick returner
- Eno Benjamin
- Jonathan Ward
Punt returner
- Greg Dortch
- Rondale Moore
This is also nothing surprising, although we will need to watch to see who actually returns punts and kicks. The Cardinals have often listed one player as the top returner, only to use another.
