Analyzing Arizona Cardinals depth chart ahead of Week 1

The Arizona Cardinals have gone a little revolutionary when it comes to their 2022 depth chart ahead of Week 1 against the Chiefs. 

You can leave it to Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury to do things the unconventional way. And in 2022, the depth chart is no exception. When you look at it, you will notice a few outlying characteristics.

For one, we are seeing a lot of Player Name “or” Player Name at select positions. Go to the Star position at linebacker, where per Cards Wire, you will see Zeke Turner “or” Tanner Vallejo listed behind Isaiah Simmons. Also, behind Markus Golden, you will see Devon Kennard at Strong Side Edge. As of Wednesday, September 7th, Kennard remains on the Cardinals practice squad.

Further, the Cardinals listed two different players at kick and punt returner, and it will be interesting to see how that pans out. Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward are the current kick returners, while Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch are slated to return punts. We will see who the Cardinals ultimately go with on Sunday.

The Arizona Cardinals have taken a new approach with Eno Benjamin or Darrel Williams as the RB2s

So who is the RB2? Eno Benjamin or Darrel Williams? Logic tells me that Williams is the true RB2 here, though given the way the Cardinals listed both on the depth chart, it wouldn’t surprise me if they went with Benjamin considering his draft status, while Williams signed on as a free agent.

My justification is that Williams is the more accomplished player, having rushed for 558 yards on 144 carries last season. He also had six touchdowns. Williams was also a threat through the air, having caught 47 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Benjamin had just 34 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown. He was buried on the depth chart last season, however, which justifies his lack of production. But his 3.5 yards per carry will make you cringe.

Overall, there is definitely some innovation going on. Or at least that’s what I’m calling it, though my pessimistic side is telling me we have a coach who can’t figure out who to place above who at select positions on the depth chart. Time will tell if this sticks.

Article Source: Cardinals’ Week 1 depth chart reveals some surprises by Jess Root

(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)