With every passing practice and preseason game, the Arizona Cardinals get one step closer to 53-man roster cuts.
And unlike the past two seasons, there are some serious decisions to make regarding high-end talent.
Ahead of an important and extended week in Denver that includes a joint practice and preseason game, here’s a look at how the roster is shaking out.
Early 53-man roster projections for the Arizona Cardinals
QB (2): Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett
Tune is the odd man out here, especially after Brissett’s showing last week. The young signal caller could be back as a practice squad member, though.
RB (4): James Conner, Trey Benson, DeeJay Dallas, Emari Demercado
If Dallas continues to have fumbling issues this preseason, he could be swapped out for Michael Carter.
WR (6): Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zay Jones, Greg Dortch, Xavier Weaver, Simi Fehoko
It’s coming down to Fehoko and Tehjaun Palmer for the final spot in the wide receivers room.
With Fehoko now healthy, he gets the slight edge for now.
TE (3): Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins
The Cardinals could decide to add another big-bodied pass catcher here — just like they did with Travis Vokolek last year.
OL (10): Paris Johnson Jr., Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams, Jonah Williams, Kelvin Beachum, Jon Gaines II, Will Hernandez, Hayden Conner, Josh Fryar (Christian Jones on IR)
There’s a chance Jones (knee) is healthy by the time the initial 53-man roster drops. Head coach Jonathan Gannon didn’t give a timeline, just that he will miss some time. If he isn’t healthy by then, undrafted rookie Fryar has a good shot at making the team.
Hernandez’s health is another thing to watch here as he’s currently on the PUP list.
DL (6): Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Darius Robinson, Dante Stills, L.J. Collier, P.J. Mustipher (Walter Nolen III, Bilal Nichols on reserve/PUP list)
Nolen and Nichols continue to work their way back from a calf and neck injury, respectively. With every day that passes, the likelihood they both start the season on the shelf gets more and more real.
If that’s the case, Mustipher or undrafted rookie Elijah Simmons could be in the mix to earn a spot.
OLB (5): Zaven Collins, Josh Sweat, Jordan Burch, Baron Browning, Xavier Thomas
Thomas and Burch showed a lot in Arizona’s preseason win over Kansas City. This room feels pretty locked in.
ILB (4): Mack Wilson Sr., Akeem Davis-Gaither, Owen Pappoe, Cody Simon
Mykal Walker is another name to watch in this room thanks to his special teams abilities.
CB (6): Max Melton, Will Johnson, Garrett Williams, Kei’Trel Clark, Denzel Burke, Darren Hall
Elijah Jones is right there on the bubble with Hall, who gets the slight nod right now thanks to his interception against the Chiefs.
S (4): Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson, Kitan Crawford
Much like Hall, Crawford gets the current nod after flashing his ball skills with an INT on Saturday.
He has the special teams talent, but is it enough to usurp the known ace, Joey Blount?
This is going to be one of the tighter battles to watch the rest of the way if Crawford keeps putting good things on tape.
K (1): Chad Ryland
P (1): Blake Gillikin
LS (1): Aaron Brewer
Rylan has asserted himself as this team’s field goal kicker.
Gillikin and Brewer bring added consistency.