The Arizona Cardinals released their first depth chart ahead of Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers. It provided fans insight into where things stand so far through training camp, particularly the positions with "OR" between the first- and second-string players.
There were four instances in which that was the case, all coming on defense. We broke down the battles heading into preseason.
Darius Robinson or Dante Stills
As a first-round pick in 2024, Darius Robinson possesses a high ceiling that the Cardinals need to continue investing in. Fortunately, the buzz out of training camp is aligning with his pedigree, giving Robinson a chance to finally achieve that anticipated breakout now that he's healthy.
Dante Stills may have a case if the Cardinals were in win-now mode, as the reliable veteran. But given where Arizona is in its rebuild, they absolutely need to give the nod to Robinson to see what talent they have on their hands.
Roy Lopez or Andrew Billings
This one is arguably the least important battle as the Cardinals will rotate the nose tackle position regardless. It's not a drastic strategic difference either, as both are veterans who specialize in stopping the run.
Andrew Billings is the true plug against the run with his 340-pound frame, while Roy Lopez's relative advantage comes in his mobility. Expect both to see minutes depending on the situation.
Zaven Collins or Baron Browning
Josh Sweat has survived countless trade rumors, and by all indications, the Cardinals expect him to remain on the roster to start the season. Now, it's a matter of figuring out who will win the other outside linebacker job.
While Zaven Collins likely gets the nod due to his versatility and history with the Cardinals dating back to being a first-round investment in 2021, the "or" label here suggests it could be more of a rotation.
The fact that neither has truly separated themselves also is a concerning sign. The Cardinals don't have an established starter to pair with Sweat, making it a roster weakness they should continue to address.
Denzel Burke or Max Melton
This could be the Cardinals' top positional battle. Sean Murphy-Bunting and Will Johnson are listed as Arizona's starting cornerbacks, with the final spot coming down to Denzel Burke or Max Melton. Burke started in eight games last year, while Melton continues to fight for a more consistent role.
Whoever ultimately wins, they'll need to help fix a Cardinals secondary that ranked top ten in most passing yards surrendered last season.
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