Arizona Cardinals: New projected 53-man roster
By Scott Allen
Defense/Special Teams
DL (8): Robert Nkemdiche, Josh Mauro, Frostee Rucker, Rodney Gunter, Xavier Williams, Corey Peters, Olsen Pierre, Ed Stinson
I’ve seen some people leave Stinson off their Cardinals roster predictions. We’ll see. The Cardinals carried as many as nine DT’s last year, usually a couple of them would be inactive each week.
LB (9): Chandler Jones, Markus Golden, Karlos Dansby, Kareem Martin, Deone Bucannon, Haason Reddick, Scooby Wright, Cap Capi, Phillip Wheeler
As far as the Cardinals should be concerned, there should never be enough linebackers. They seem to go through them a lot during the season because of injuries.
DB (9): Patrick Peterson, Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Tramon Williams, Antonie Bethea, Tyrann Mathieu, Tyvon Branch, Budda Baker, Rudy Ford
Ford wins the job over Harlan Miller. It’s a tough call. Both could be practice squad players. If Ford doesn’t make it then it should be Miller. He’s been on the bubble for awhile.
K (1): Phil Dawson
LS (1): Aaron Brewer
P (1): Richie Leone
The biggest question here is will Leone actually be the opening day punter? Some have questioned whether the Cardinals currently employ their 2017 punter yet. One thing is for sure, he has out-punted Matt Wile in the preseason.