It’s a bit less than four days when all NFL teams will have their rosters set at 53 players. For the Arizona Cardinals, there are obviously numerous decisions that will have to be made after Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos and by 1 p.m. Arizona time Tuesday.
Of course, in addition to the 53 on the active roster, there will be 17 on the practice squad that will begin being named on Wednesday, a total that includes tight end Bernhard Seikovits, who has an international exemption.
The practice squad is a large part of the choices being made because of the flexibility provided by two elevations available to the game-day roster. That can reduce the need to have a rostered player at some positions active when the practice squad can be utilized for that.
There is always consternation with cutting a potential practice-squad player that could be claimed on waivers.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon said they are a “huge” components of what happens. “Those are very meaningful spots for all kinds of reasons, but our practice-squad guys I don’t see those guys as never gonna get a jersey on game day,” Gannon said. “They gotta be ready to play at a moment’s notice. Those are important spots.”
At this moment, most anyone can come up with a big percentage of players that will be on the 53-man roster. The difficulty is identifying which of a large group of competitors will be either on the roster or practice squad. Any additional spot at a given position are affected by other positions.
With that said, I’ll take a stab at it. The following list has 41 players I believe are locks for the roster, with 22 that could go either way. The locks don’t include suspended wide receiver Zay Jones and injured defensive lineman Darius Robinson.
Quarterbacks
Locks (2): Kyler Murray, Clayton Tune
Battling (1): Desmond Ridder
Unless the bottom falls out Sunday, Tune has done enough to be Murray’s backup. The question is whether Ridder will be on the roster as the third quarterback, which Gannon has said is possible, or if the Cardinals put him on waivers with the hope of adding him to the practice squad.
Wide receivers
Locks (3): Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch
Battling (3): Zach Pascal, Xavier Weaver, Chris Moore
Reserve/suspended: Zay Jones
The Jones suspension for five games that was announced Friday could clear the way for Pascal and Weaver to be on the roster. They both have special-teams value, and there could be a decision between Weaver and running back DeeJay Dallas as kick returners.
Running backs
Locks (3): James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado
Battling (2): DeeJay Dallas, Michael Carter
Demercado is a valuable third-down back, while Dallas is a tough runner and kick returner with Carter simply a guy that makes plays when he’s on the field. Who will be the fourth and could they keep five?
Tight ends
Locks (3): Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman
Battling (2): Travis Vokolek, Blake Whiteheart
Vokolek and Whiteheart have a shot if the Cardinals keep four tight ends. If not, at least one will be on the practice squad.
Offensive linemen
Locks: (8): LT Paris Johnson Jr., LG Evan Brown, C Hjalte Froholdt, RG Will Hernandez, RT Jonah Williams, T Kelvin Beachum, C/G Jon Gaines II, G Isaiah Adams
Battling (3): G/T Elijah Wilkinson, C/G Trystan Colon, T Christian Jones
Two after the first eight will be on the roster or practice squad and maybe all three. Jones kept his head in the game against the Colts with no holding penalties in the second half after having four in the first two quarters and the Cardinals like his potential.
Defensive linemen
Locks (5): L.J. Collier, Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Roy Lopez, Dante Stills
Battling (1): Khyiris Tonga
Limbo (1): Darius Robinson
This is cut-and-dried, except for the status of Robinson as results of an MRI for a calf injury are pending. If a mild strain, he could be ready for the season opener or shortly afterward. If the injury is worse, he could land on short-term injured reserve, which would keep him sidelined for the first four games. The worst-case scenario is a complete tear with surgery necessary.
Edge rushers
Locks (5): Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Xavier Thomas, Cameron Thomas, Victor Dimukeje
Battling (2): Jesse Luketa, Tyreke Smith
The Cardinals kept six last season, so Luketa has a strong chance of being on the roster. But don’t count out Smith.
Inside linebackers
Locks (4): Kyzir White, Mack Wilson Sr., Krys Barnes, Owen Pappoe
Battling (2): Markus Bailey, Trevor Nowaske
It might be unlikely that five will be on the roster, but special teams could be the ticket for Bailey or Nowaske.
Cornerbacks
Locks (4): Sean Murphy-Bunting, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V, Max Melton
Battling (4): Elijah Jones, Kei’Trel Clark, Bobby Price, Divaad Wilson
Jones has stepped up in recent weeks and might have an edge if five corners are on the roster. Clark is also close.
Safeties
Locks (4): Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion (Rabbit) Taylor-Demerson, Andre Chachere
Battling (2): Joey Blount, Darren Hall
If five safeties are on the roster, it likely will be between Hall and Blount, who is a special teams demon. Hall is a versatile player the coaches like and can be considered a hybrid corner/safety.
Specialists
Locks (3): K Matt Prater, P Blake Gillikin, LS Aaron Brewer
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