Surprising cuts could be coming for the Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals could have a few surprises up their sleeve when they get down to the 53-man roster limit this weekend

It’s almost here, Arizona Cardinals fans. After months of uncertainty, it appears as if the NFL’s 2020 campaign will get underway on time. As the Cards prepare for the San Francisco 49ers on September 13th, final decisions are being made on what players should be retained for the upcoming season.

Arizona general manager Steve Keim and his cohorts have until this Saturday to formulate a plan for what the club’s 53-man roster should look like this fall. While the release of many players is inevitable, there are other cuts that could come as a big surprise to those who follow the Cardinals. The following are several individuals who would fit into that category.

Corey Peters, a 11th-year veteran who joined the Cards back in 2015, is penciled in to be the team’s starting nose tackle. However, the organization spent a fourth-round draft pick on Leki Fotu back in April, and also has 22-year old Miles Brown waiting in the wings. Arizona could save $3 million by going with a youth movement, and replacing the 32-year old Peters with either Fotu or Brown.

Another Cardinals starter who’s rumored to be on the bubble is right guard J.R. Sweezy. The 30-year old is scheduled to earn a base salary of $3.5 million in ’20, and will count $6.5 million against the franchise’s salary cap. There’s been talk that right tackle Justin Murray, or possibly even rookie lineman Josh Jones, could take Sweezy’s spot in the starting lineup.

For the past four years, the Cards have tried to find a home on the playing field for linebacker Haason Reddick. But try as they may, the organization has received very little payback from the 13th-overall selection of the 2017 draft. Reddick is due to make $2.3 million this coming fall, a number which management could ultimately determine to be a bit too large for a backup edge rusher.

Arizona was also expecting big things out of Hakeem Butler when they drafted the wide receiver during the fourth round of the 2019 draft. Unfortunately, a hand injury and some inconsistent performances on the practice field have stalled the 6’5, 227 pounder’s pro career. Butler could ultimately lose his roster spot to a wideout like Trent Sherfield, who contributes mightily on special teams for the Cardinals.

Finally, the Cards could hand Brett Hundley‘s backup quarterback job to Chris Streveler, the former Canadian Football League star. Keeping just two passers is a bit risky, but it’s something that the club has done in the past. Streveler has drawn comparisons to New Orleans Saints signal-caller Taysom Hill, which could make him a more attractive option than Hundley in the eyes of an offensive guru like Kliff Kingsbury.