Arizona Cardinals: Predicting offensive depth chart
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals offensive skill players are aging but plans are in place to get younger quickly
No doubt the Arizona Cardinals offense is getting older, however the team has started to make plans to replace some of the aging veterans with younger players. We started to see that plan go into action on the offensive line at the NFL Draft last month.
For now, a look at what the offensive depth chart could look like as we head into training camp and into the regular season. As always, players are subject to change.
Quarterback:
Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, Zac Dysert, Trevor Knight
Word is Gabbert has looked good through the first couple of rounds of OTA’s. The third round starts Tuesday. While that is good news, let’s remember it’s just OTA’s.
Palmer will be the starter in 2017 as long as he stays healthy. Look for Stanton to keep the number two job, at least through the preseason.
Running back:
David Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, Elijhaa Penny, T.J. Logan, James Summers.
When you look at this depth, how do the Cardinals cut anyone? Williams has speed and strength but lacks special teams consistency. Penny could be the odd man out but if he performs like he did last camp, he could sneak in.
As for Logan, the Cardinals want to use him in the return game. Summers was impressive with the University of East Carolina and could surprise.
Receiver:
Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson, Andre Ellington, Chad Williams, Jeremy Ross, Aaron Dobson, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden, Marquis Bundy, Krishawn Hogan, Larry Clark, Carlton Agudosi
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Fitz could be in his last season in 2017 but is still the clear number one. John Brown and J.J. Nelson both will fight for receptions.
Chad Williams is the third-rounder from Grambling State that could surprise. Ellington is still officially listed as a running back but could change during camp.
Offensive Line:
Left Tackle:
D.J. Humphries, Will Holden, Jonathan McLaughlin
Left Guard:
Mike Iupati, Tony Bergstrom, Daniel Munyer
Center:
A.Q. Shipley, Evan Boehm, Lucas Crowley
Right Guard:
Cole Toner, Dorian Johnson, Kaleb Johnson
Right Tackle:
Jared Veldheer, John Wetzel, John Ulrick, Givens Price
The offfensive line has some versatility. Evan Boehm and Troy Bergstrom can move between center and guard. Expect the switch of Humprhies to left tackle and Veldheer to right tackle.
Tight End:
Jermaine Gresham, Ifeanyi Momah, Troy Niklas, Hakeem Valles, Stephen Wroblewski, Ricky Seals-Jones
Gresham was a surprise return for 2017. Niklas is in a make or break year. His injury issues have mounted and the Cardinals patience could be growing thin.