Reactions to ESPN’s Arizona Cardinals’ Training Camp Roster Prediction.
What are your reactions to Josh Weinfuss’ pre-camp roster prediction for the Cardinals?
Josh Weinfuss of ESPN just released his pre-camp 53-man roster prediction for the Arizona Cardinals. Here is the link:
2024 Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster projection – ESPN
What I am curious to know is what your reactions would be if this 53-man roster prediction turns out to be 100% accurate.
Josh’s Pick/Comment and My reactions
QUARTERBACK (2): Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder
The Cardinals traded for Ridder, who’ll replace Clayton Tune as Murray’s backup, but Arizona won’t carry three quarterbacks on game day. Tune may end up on the practice squad if the Cardinals feel comfortable enough that no other team will poach him but, at the very least, he’ll be a roster player who won’t get a jersey on game days.
While I think highly of Desmond Ridder, I also think highly of Clayton Tune. Both young QBs should see plenty of action during the pre-season games — and I just hope the QB2 job will be a competition. I also believe that it would be wise for the Cardinals to keep 3 QBs on the roster, given that Kyler Murray has missed games in each of the last three seasons. Hopefully K1 will stay healthy for all the games this year, but having some insurance at the most important position is wise.
Note: when players are waived, if they are claimed, then they are gone. If they are not claimed, they are free to sign on any team’s practice squad. In Clayton Tune’s case, if the Texans come calling with a PS offer, who could blame him for going home to Houston and reuniting with Tank Dell? If that winds up being the case, the Cardinals would lose a QB they spent a 2023 5th round pick on and who has spent two years in the system. Plus, by all accounts, Tune did a very good job running the scout team offense, as evidenced by being rewarded the Pat Tillman PS player of the week, later on in the season.
College Stats:
* Clayton Tune: 956/1,498 = 63.8%. 11,996 yards. 8.2 apa, 104-41 td/int, 148.5
* Desmond Ridder: 810/1,304 = 62.1%, 10,239 yards, 7.9 apa, 82-28 td/int, 145.8
RUNNING BACKS (4): James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter, DeeJay Dallas
Drafting Benson likely meant the end of Emari Demercado’s time with the Cardinals despite him putting in a string last season as the red-zone back. Conner will get the bulk of the touches, but Benson has the size and quickness to quickly become a No. 2 running back. Carter showed last year that he’s quick and versatile, and Dallas was signed this offseason primarily as a special teamer
“The end of Emari Demercado’s time with the Cardinals”? I, for one, ardently hope that is not the case. Emari was way more than just a “red-zone back.” He played in 14 games, starting 2 when James Conner was injured. Had impressive performances versus 2 of the NFL’s top 3 defenses: SF: 4/64 1 TD; BAL 20/78. Yet, the most impressive aspect of his game that Emari brought to the Cardinals as a mere undrafted rookie, he was by far the best blitz protector on passing downs,
routinely stuffing on-rushing linebackers in their tracks. Finished the season: 58 carries for 284 yards, 4.9 ave., while adding 119 receiving yards and 2 TDs. What a scouting coup this was for Moni Ossenfort and Dave Sears. With a chance to have Emari on the roster for the next 3 seasons, it would be very wise to hold on to their best pass protector, who ran for 4.9 yards per carry. There is something special about this kid — which he displayed in the Fiesta Bowl rushing for 150 yards on 17 carries and 2 TDs in TCU’s stunning 51-45 upset over Michigan and their #5 ranked defense. All this for Emari at State Farm Stadium.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, Chris Moore, Zach Pascal.
The first five are fairly easy to project but after that there are a handful of options the Cardinals could keep as a sixth or seventh receiver including Jeff Smith, Xavier Weaver, Andre Baccellia, or Daniel Arias. Depending on what kind of camp rookie Tejhaun Palmer has, he could be another option or could end up on the practice squad.
Josh may be correct about the team keeping Zach Pascal for the sake of his strong role on STs. But I think that Jeff Smith, Xavier Weaver and Tejhuan Palmer could make strong cases. Jeff Smith has some Greg Dortch type of RAC ability. Xavier Weaver and Tejhuan Palmer can also be formidable threats from the slot.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins, Travis Vokolek
This may be the Cardinals’ strongest tight end room in recent memory. McBride is a star in the making. Reiman is a big, bruising rookie. Higgins is a smooth pass catcher. And Vokolek is a behemoth. Blake Whiteheart could make a case for that fourth tight end spot, but the player to watch is Bernhard Seikovits. The Austrian product is eligible to occupy the 17th practice squad spot that’s reserved solely for international players, but if he’s shown the type of growth Arizona wants, he could be on the roster Week 1.
100% agree. Well said, Josh.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Paris Johnson Jr., Will Hernandez, Hjalte Froholdt, Evan Brown, Jonah Williams, Christian Jones, Marquis Hayes, Kelvin Beachum, Isaiah Adams, Trystan Colon.
Arizona has plenty of versatility on its offensive line this season. Brown can play both guard positions and center. Hernandez can play either guard position and Beachum can play either tackle role. Hayes, a 2022 seventh-round pick, could get some rep for the first time in his career this season. Rookies Jones and Adams have the size to play at the NFL level but camp will decide whether they have what it takes to do the rest at this level.
The one possibly sweet surprise here is Josh’s tabbing of G Marquis Hayes over 2023 4th round pick Jon Gaines II and Elijah Wilkinson whom the coaches seem very high on. Josh may have some inside info on Haynes, whose physical attributes are imposing.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Darius Robinson, Dante Stills, L.J. Collier, Roy Lopez
Arizona focused on upgrading its defensive front during free agency by signing Jones and Nichols, and then took it another step further by drafting Robinson with its second first-round pick. The changes should help the Cardinals get the necessary push up front to find the quarterback more than the 33 times they did a year ago, which was the Cardinals’ lowest sack output since 2010.
This prediction looks accurate, although it would be disappointing not to see Cameron Thomas, at his size and athleticism, not make the roster. In addition, one sleeper to keep an eye on, perhaps, is CFA Myles Murphy on North Carolina.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (5): Zaven Collins, BJ Ojulari, Dennis Gardeck, Xavier Thomas, Jesse Luketa
This will be the most competitive position on the roster during training camp. There’s an abundance of options at outside linebacker, but just two — and very few times three — will be on the field at the same time. Collins is in Year 2 of his transition to outside linebacker and Ojulari stood out during camp. Five may be too many for the Cardinals to keep but with the new kickoff rules, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some outside linebackers pulling double duty.
Collins, Ojulari, Gardeck and Thomas are the big 4. Jesse Luketa’s STs value and his overall versatility may be strong reasons to keep him — but would Jeff Rodgers prefer Luketa over the former Bengals’ ace ST Markus Bailey who signed a couple of months ago. My guess is they would go with Bailey over Luketa.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4): Kyzir White, Krys Barnes, Mack Wilson Sr., Owen Pappoe
White is back from injury and Wilson Sr. was signed this offseason, and coupled with a veteran in Barnes, the Cardinals have a savvy group of inside linebackers who can not only control a defense from the second level but also make plays sideline to sideline.
Thus, if the Cardinals keep Markus Bailey, then he gets added to the ILB group and they go with 4 at OLB. White, Barnes, Wilson Sr. and Pappoe are solid across the board.
CORNERBACKS (5): Sean Murphy-Bunting, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V, Max Melton, Elijah Jones
Another position that’ll have a lot of attention on it during training camp. The likes of Williams, Thomas, Melton and Jones will be duking it out during camp to earn a coveted starting role. Melton and Jones will have to get caught up to speed relatively quickly as rookies once the pads go on, but they have the talent to crack the rotation. Depending on how the cornerback and safety rooms play out, Williams’ ability to double dip as a nickel could give defensive coordinator Nick Rallis some flexibility with who’s on the field.
Josh seems to be trending the right way on these 5 CBs based on how the coaches have been praising all 5— which would mean the coaches would cut 2023 6th round pick Kei’Trel Clark. In my opinion, cutting KTC would be a mistake for such an aggressive, versatile, speedy (4.42 at Combine) physically gifted baller. Now it’s time for the former Louisville Cardinal to make his best roster case possible. I believe he is going to do just that, and more.
SAFETIES (4): Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Andre Chachere
Baker and Thompson continue to be one of the best safety duos in the NFL. They’ll take the large majority of snaps and will be complemented by Chachere and Taylor-Demerson when Arizona uses three or four safeties, which will happen at times
Josh knows how tied JG is to Andre Chachere — and Chachere turned in a solid season as the #3 safety last year. Adding a versatile free safety like The Rabbit may help the Cardinals address their inability to defend “explosion” passes over the top, something that Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson and Chachere have struggled with. However, another player who fits the deep safety patrol mold is Joey Blount, who is one of the most disruptive ST players on the roster.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Matt Prater, P Blake Gillikin, LS Aaron Brewer
Arizona threw its support behind Gillikin with a two-year deal in March, and Prater is one of the best to ever do it. Even though Brewer will have some competition in camp, having a long relationship with Prater and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers that dates back to their time in Denver will help him win that spot.
Josh summarizes this trio perfectly. If Aaron Brewer makes the roster, it’s possible that Jeff Rodgers might choose to stash the young, talented Joe Shimko on the PS.
