Not every member of the Arizona Cardinals will make the cut heading into the summer. Which players could we see part ways with the team before camp even begins?
The Arizona Cardinals, like all NFL teams, will soon face the difficult decision of letting players go once training camp begins. But the reality of the situation is, NFL teams can cut any player they’d like at any time. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise you if the Redbirds got rid of a few older players going into the summer, well before the pads come on in July.
While this list was not an easy one to construct, there were five players who ultimately jumped out at me who have most likely hit their limit in this league, and probably won’t make the 53-man roster. Not that a pink slip means they would be done for good in the NFL, but it’s hard to see the following players finding an even remotely important spot in the Cardinals plans. Let’s meet these five players.
5 Arizona Cardinals likely to get cut going into the summer
1 - Dennis Gardeck, OLB
You’re going to see a recurring theme in this article, and it’s composed of players who are at least middle-aged in NFL years, and have also reached their respective ceilings. Dennis Gardeck is one player who has done nothing since his 7.0 sack outing in 2020 to give the Arizona Cardinals hope of getting any more real production.
Further, Gardeck is facing way too much younger talent at outside linebacker/edge, and he’s on the smaller side, giving him even more of a disadvantage. He could be a special teams ace on this team, but Zeke Turner, Josh Woods, and Kris Boyd, among others, should take that role over.
2 - Javon Wims, WR
Javon Wims has the ideal size that you may look for. But with DeAndre Hopkins, Zach Pascal, and Michael Wilson ahead of him, he too faces more than an uphill climb. Further, with DeAndre Hopkins likely back in the desert for another season, Wims is more than the odd-man-out here.
He will also be entering his sixth season in the NFL, and he has yet to prove himself on any roster, amassing just 28 receptions, 288 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. The Arizona Cardinals will also have a trio of smallish pass catchers in Rondale Moore, Marquise Brown, and Greg Dortch with an inside track on the 28-year-old Wims.
3 - Jeff Driskel, QB
With five quarterbacks on the roster, it’s highly likely someone gets cut before training camp. We know it won’t be Kyler Murray, Clayton Tune, or Colt McCoy, which leaves David Blough and Jeff Driskel. Blough is the younger of the two and he has familiarity playing alongside many of the current Redbirds, meaning Driskel will most likely be sent packing.
While Driskel has dual threat tendencies and could thrive in an offense ultimately geared around Murray and/or Tune, his age and limited ceiling will be ultimate hindrances. I would be surprised if Driskel made it to training camp.
4 - Corey Clement, RB
The Arizona Cardinals have a lot of unproven commodities behind James Conner. While Clement may be the most productive of the backups and potential RB2s, he is also the oldest, and has long since hit his ceiling.
There are also more than a few proven backs on the free agent market, and general manager Monti Ossenfort can go after them if he believes they can upgrade the position. Finally, if the Cards decide to keep everything ‘as is,’ Clement can still be the odd man out thanks to the influx of young talent behind him, namely Keaontay Ingram and Emari Demercado.
5 - Nate Hairston, CB
While cornerback is still a weak position for the Arizona Cardinals, they already have a more proven veteran in Antonio Hamilton, leaving Nate Hairston on thin ice. While he’s had his moments throughout his career, it’s also clear that the 28-year-old has also hit his limit, and he’s nothing more than a fringe backup.
At this time, the Cards have a remarkable talent in Marco Wilson, along with rookies Garrett Williams and Kei’Trel Clark, along with second year pro Christian Matthew. Throw special teamer Kris Boyd in there, plus a few more younger and intriguing talents, and it’s tough to see Hairston lasting in the desert this summer.
Overall, we know the Arizona Cardinals want to be a younger football team with a small influx of veteran leadership. But with guys like Colt McCoy, Kelvin Beachum, Matt Prater, James Conner, and Antonio Hamilton likely providing that sound veteran leadership along with the fact they will be key contributors in one way or another, the five names mentioned above may receive their walking papers before anyone else.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)