Jalen Brooks continues to strengthen his case to make the 53-man roster, a decision that must be made by the August 30 deadline. Brooks' connection with third-round rookie quarterback Carson Beck was apparent in the Hall of Fame Game, finishing with three receptions for 99 yards, hauling in a deep 49-yard reception. He hasn't skipped a beat with any of these quarterbacks, really.
That's just one example of a wide receiver that's suddenly become nearly impossible to cut when making these 53 roster decisions. But with Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Kendrick Bourne already ahead in the pecking order, there are limited spots in what has become a talented but crowded wide receiver room.
It's a good problem to have for a Cardinals roster that certainly isn't hurting for offensive playmakers.
Nonetheless, it's a problem that needs to be resolved, and there's a good chance at least one deserving wide receiver won't make the final roster.
In addition to Brooks, other receivers that have stood out include fifth-round rookie Reggie Virgil and Simi Fehoko. There's also Devin Duvernay to account for, who could potentially steal a final spot in this room as he's able to differentiate himself with the added value as a returner on special teams.
Predicting the Cardinals' final wide receiver room
Here's how the Cardinals' final wide receiver room could potentially shake out:
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Michael Wilson
- Kendrick Bourne
- Jalen Brooks
- Reggie Virgil
- Devin Duvernay (special teams)
Could Simi Fehoko be the odd man out?
Perhaps Ihmir Smith-Marsette could make a case to take special teams duties in place of Devin Duvernay? In this scenario, it would be Smith-Marsette and Simi Fehoko as the first ones out.
They could have the most on the line in the Cardinals' final two preseason games, with the next opportunity coming Saturday, August 22 against the Dallas Cowboys. But for Fehoko, is there even much more he can do? He caught all three targets for 23 yards and a touchdown Thursday.
He's played well enough to make a general 53-man roster, but making this deep of a Cardinals WR room is another beast entirely, especially with how much Brooks and Virgil have stood out so far this offseason. It's also a good sign that Mike LaFleur's new offense has all these receivers playing so well.
There's still time for the room and rotations to play out differently by the time the Cardinals actually have to make a decision. But with this new era of offense under LaFleur, the most encouraging thing is the idea of building a scheme or system where players' skill sets are maximized.
With how many quarterbacks and pass catchers have transitioned in and out of the lineup throughout the Cardinals' first two preseason games, to have continued success to the tune of 57 total points is a reflection of LaFleur.
So yes, it's a difficult decision narrowing down a crowded wide receiver room when there's an excess of deserving players in the position. But as long as they have LaFleur and this amount of talent at the position, the Cardinals really can't go wrong.
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