The Cardinals suddenly have as much defensive depth as any team in the NFL, so their roster could be abnormally heavy on that side of the ball.
Quarterback (2)
Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett
Arizona signed Jacoby Brissett this offseason to be the backup, and Kyler Murray being set to run at an increased rate in 2025 makes the role even more important. Clayton Tune loses the numbers game with roster spots needed elsewhere, but he’ll likely land on the practice squad.
Running back (4)
James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, DeeJay Dallas
Trey Benson is one of a few second-year backs around the league who is hoping to stay healthy and have a role in Year 2—and we expect the backup job will be his with a strong summer. Things are murkier behind James Conner and Benson, as Michael Carter and Bam Knight will also push for a roster spot; but Emari Demercado gets the edge based on what he’s shown over the past couple of years, and DeeJay Dallas makes it as a key figure on special teams.
Wide receiver (5)
Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, Quez Watkins
The Cardinals not making a bigger splash at wide receiver this offseason was a surprise, but they anticipate Marvin Harrison Jr. to become a star, and things will revolve around him and Trey McBride. Quez Watkins and Simi Fehoko are the two main signings that were made in free agency, and the lack of speed for Arizona gives the edge to Watkins.
Tight end (3)
Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins
We’ll see if Tip Reiman—who was drafted in the third round last year—has a bigger role as a versatile piece on offense, but again, things will be built around Trey McBride after 111/1,146/2 line in 2024. The athletic Elijah Higgins should be able to hold off veteran Josiah Deguara for the No. 3 job.
Offensive tackle (4)
Paris Johnson Jr., Jonah Williams, Kelvin Beachum, Christian Jones
While indications are that Jonah Williams will be the starter at right tackle after appearing in just six games last year, would it make sense to explore kicking him inside? The interior will be hit on in a moment, but Kelvin Beachum has started 161 games in his career was solid when replacing Williams last season. And the Cardinals also have Christian Jones as a young player with potential.
Interior offensive line (5)
Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams, Jon Gaines II, Hayden Conner (R)
Improvements by Isaiah Adams in Year 2 would certainly help complete the interior with Evan Brown and Hjalte Froholdt playing very well at left guard and center—but we bring up the possibility of Jonah Williams playing inside in case Adams doesn’t emerge. In a big season for the Cardinals, it’d make sense to get the best five offensive linemen on the field, but the current setup has Jon Gaines II as the backup center and sixth-round rookie Hayden Conner trying to beat out Royce Newman, Jake Curhan, and Nick Leverett at guard.
Interior defensive line (7)
Calais Campbell, Walter Nolen III (R), Dalvin Tomlinson, Bilal Nichols, Dante Stills, L.J. Collier, Justin Jones
The defensive front—both on the interior and on the edge—is where Arizona is completely loaded, and they’ll have a very versatile scheme to take advantage of the depth and everyone’s strengths. Justin Jones would seem to be the option most likely on the bubble after appearing in just three games due to injury last year in Arizona, but he had the best season of his career in 2023, so Jones or someone else could even be a trade candidate.
Edge defender (6)
Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Darius Robinson, BJ Ojulari, Baron Browning, Jordan Burch (R)
Darius Robinson could have been listed as an interior player instead, but increased 4-3 alignment this year is expected to have him and Josh Sweat with their hand in the dirt on the outside—and the 2024 first-rounder can kick inside in passing situations for what should be a heavy rotation that keeps everyone fresh. The toughest player to leave off was Xavier Thomas after he showed well as a fifth-round rookie last year, so the Cardinals keeping just four wide receivers might happen with upwards of 15 players who can contribute on the defensive line.
Linebacker (4)
Mack Wilson Sr., Akeem Davis-Gaither, Cody Simon (R), Owen Pappoe
A linebacker trio of Mack Wilson Sr., Akeem Davis-Gaither, and rookie Cody Simon might not provide star power in the desert, but they should be kept clean and be able to make plays if the defensive line lives up to expectations. Owen Pappoe isn’t guaranteed a roster spot, but he’s the favorite over Mykal Walker after playing 80% of the snaps on special teams in 2024.
Cornerback (6)
Will Johnson (R), Max Melton, Garrett Williams, Denzel Burke (R), Kei’Trel Clark, Elijah Jones
The Cardinals weren’t exactly targeting a cornerback early in the draft after taking Garrett Williams, Max Melton, and Elijah Jones on Day 2 over the past couple of years, but Will Johnson fell to them and fits perfectly in Jonathan Gannon’s zone-heavy scheme. The team also took Denzel Burke as a great value in Round 5 this year, and Kei’Trel Clark has shown enough flashes to feel good about making it—especially with Sean Murphy-Bunting (knee) out for the season.
Safety (4)
Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Jammie Robinson
The battle here will be between Jammie Robinson, Joey Blount, and seventh-round rookie Kitan Crawford for the final safety spot. Robinson is someone we have liked since he was at Florida State, so we’re going with him after the Cardinals saw enough to claim him off waivers from the Panthers in December.
Special teams (3)
Chad Ryland, Blake Gillikin, Aaron Brewer
Former fourth-round pick Chad Ryland didn’t work out in New England by hitting just 64.0% of his field goals as a rookie, but his career quickly got on track in Arizona—making 28-of-32 kicks (87.5%) to enter 2025 as the undisputed kicker. He’ll be joined again by Blake Gillikin and Aaron Brewer on special teams.