We won’t know the official Arizona Cardinals depth chart until the start of the regular season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate what it might look like.
After an active phase one of free-agency, the Arizona Cardinals 2019 depth chart is starting to from. Of course, it’s far from complete though. The 2019 NFL Draft will surely change the outlook of the depth chart, but it’s good to know where the team stands before the draft.
For the sake of the article, I will include current Cardinals free agent Rodney Gunter, as I believe Keim will likely bring back due to the lack of depth at interior defensive line.
The big difference between the Cardinals 2018 and 2019 depth charts takes place in the defense, where the team is expected to convert from a 4-3 to a 3-4 with Vance Joseph’s arrival.
Offense:
Quarterback: Josh Rosen, Brett Hundley
Runningback: David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, T.J. Logan, D.J. Foster
X receiver: Kevin White or Trent Sherfield, Chad Williams
Tight end: Charles Clay, Ricky Seals-Jones, Darell Daniels
Left tackle: D.J. Humphries, Korey Cunningham (swing)
Left guard: J.R. Sweezy, Jeremy Vujnovich
Center: Mason Cole, A.Q. Shipley
Right guard: Justin Pugh, Max Garcia
Right tackle: Marcus Gilbert
Z receiver: Christian Kirk, Pharoh Cooper, Malachi Dupre
Slot receiver: Larry Fitzgerald
Defense
Left end: Vincent Valentine
Defensive tackle: Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter
Right end: Robert Nkemdiche
Strong-side linebacker: Terrell Suggs, Brooks Reed
Inside linebacker: Jordan Hicks, Joe Walker, Dennis Gardeck
Inside linebacker: Haason Reddick, Tanner Vallejo
Weak-side linebacker: Chandler Jones, Vontarrius Dora, Cameron Malveaux
Left cornerback: Patrick Peterson, Chris Jones
Strong safety: D.J. Swearinger, Rudy Ford, Zeke Turner
Free safety: Budda Baker, Jonathan Owens
Right cornerback: Robert Alford, Deatrick Nichols
Slot cornerback: David Amerson, Brandon Williams
Special teams
Kicker: Cole Murphy
Punter: Andy Lee
Long snapper: Aaron Brewer
Notes
- The Cardinals need to find an ‘X’ receiver in the upcoming draft. While Kevin White or Chad Williams both have the potential to fill in this need, they both have fulfilled their potential over the years. However, 2018 UDFA Trent Sherfield was promising during his limited action.
- The offensive line is littered with veteran talent, but, ultimately I chose to insert a youngin’ in Mason Cole at center. A.Q. Shipley is an Arians guy and I won’t be surprised if he’s released.
- The defensive line, specifically, the interior could use some more depth. I expect for the Arizona Cardinals to make it a priority come April 25th.
- This current depth chart is very much fit for the 3-4 defense. Steve Keim has obviously made outside linebacker a priority. I expect both Terrell Suggs and Brooks Reed to have good years wearing Cardinal Red as Vance Joseph tends to alternate his outside linebackers.
- Larry Fitzgerald is still a slot in this but could very well move to the outside. However, Kliff Kingsbury would have a nice weapon in one of the best big slot receivers in the NFL.