Arizona Cardinals: Updated 53-man roster prediction

The Arizona Cardinals released their most recent depth chart earlier in the week

With the first round of cuts looming for the Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Arizona time, many players have just one more shot to impress coaches.  The Cardinals face the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Teams must be down to 75 players on the roster Tuesday and then will have to be down to 53 on Saturday September 3rd by 1:00 p.m. Arizona time. That being said, the Cardinals released their most recent depth chart, which shows who is likely on the bubble and has work to do.

Offense

Looking at the offense, there are no real surprises at quarterback.  Carson Palmer is number one, followed by Drew Stanton, Matt Barkley, and then Jake Coker.  The biggest question here is will the Cardinals keep two or three quarterbacks?  Barkley could be cut but I can’t see the Cardinals sticking with just two quarterbacks.  (3)

At wide receiver you have Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, and Jaron Brown as your top four.  The Cardinals typically keep six receivers out of camp.  Seven or eight could make it but that is taking up valuable spots elsewhere.

J.J. Nelson and Chris Hubert would be next in line for spots if the decision would be made today. That leaves Brittan Golden and Jaxon Shipley on the outside looking in.  The Cardinals have worked hard on Shipley but he has dropped some passes in practice and in the two preseason games.  His opportunity may be going by the way side.  (6)

At running back, the Cardinals typically keep four and I believe this year will be no exception.  David Johnson, Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor are your top four backs.  That leaves Kerwynn Williams looking on the outside.  He likely becomes a victim of the numbers game.  (4)

On the offensive line, this is the most intriguing.  How many players do the Cardinals keep here? The starters are at left tackle Jared Veldheer, Mike Iupati at left guard, D.J. Humphries at right tackle and Evan Mathis at right guard.  The center job right now belongs to A.Q. Shipley.

So that’s five on the line.  I believe they will keep four backups.  That leaves left tackle John Wetzel, left guard Antoine McClain, right tackle Rob Crisp, center Earl Watford, and center Evan Boehm as the backups competing.  Crisp is likely the odd man out. (9)

The tight end spot you essentially have six guys fighting for four spots.  Some may believe only three will be kept, however with injury history and the way the tight ends have played so well, I believe they will keep four of the six they currently have.

Darren Fells is number one followed by Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, and Ifeanyi Momah. Apologies to Gerald Christian but I think he also becomes a victim of the numbers game. (4)

Next: Cardinals defense