Arizona Cardinals roster projection: Resetting 53-man depth chart after 2024 NFL draft
The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up the 2024 NFL draft by selecting a total of 12 players. It’s their biggest draft haul since they also landed a dozen plays back in 1992.
There’s no telling how many of those rookies will crack the starting lineup at some point this upcoming season, but there could be at least three who do and up to seven who might. General Manager Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon will have some difficult decisions to make before the Cardinals get to Week 1.
There will be a handful of additions – and plenty of subtractions – in the weeks and days leading up to that point. Arizona might still be in the market for an edge rusher and an extra interior lineman in addition to probably a fourth quarterback for training camp purposes only.
All sorts of changes could be coming, but here’s a way-to-early 53-man roster projection and depth chart prediction:
Projecting the Arizona Cardinals roster
OFFENSE
Quarterback (2)
Expectations high for K1: After missing the first nine games of the 2023 season, the Cardinals have big hopes that a fully healthy Murray can return to Pro Bowl form entering his sixth NFL season. The team worked an offseason trade to acquire a young backup with experience in Ridder, who should easily fit into the offense. Clayton Tune mostly projects as an emergency QB who can be promoted from the practice squad.
Running back (4)
James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter, DeeJay Dallas
Rookie could push for playing time: Conner is coming off the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career and he leads a unit that ranked fourth in the league (139.1 yards per game). The group got better with Benson's selection in the third draft round. He’ll get a chance to shine in a crowded backfield that just got a lot better. Emari Demercado might not make the cut.
Wide receiver (6)
Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal, Chris Moore, Tejhaun Palmer
Get ready for ‘Marvelous Marv’: Arizona landed the best non-quarterback in the draft in Harrison Jr., who will immediately slide into the No. 1 WR spot. He could easily be a threat for a 100-catch, 1,000-yard season as a rookie. He’ll also open things up for Wilson, the second-year pro.
Tight end (3)
Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins
Lightning and thunder: McBride played at a Pro Bowl level in his second NFL season by catching 81 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. Expect those numbers to rise now that he’s fully entrenched into the game plan. Drafting the rugged Reiman out of Illinois as a standout blocking tight end with some pass-catch potential brings a different dynamic to the group.
Offensive line (10)
Paris Johnson Jr., Jonah Williams, Hjalte Froholdt, Elijah Wilkinson, Will Hernandez, Kelvin Beachum, Christian Jones, Isaiah Adams, Trystan Colon, Evan Brown
Moving into the post-D.J. Humphries era: The Cardinals will feature a new left tackle following the release of Humphries and it’s expected to be Johnson Jr., who started all 17 games last season at right tackle as a rookie. Williams, a free-agent addition, will now man the right side. There is quality depth across the line and plenty of versatility as well.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (6)
Darius Robinson, Bilal Nichols, Justin Jones, L.J. Collier, Khyiris Tonga, Dante Stills
The overhaul looks complete: There are four new faces in the rotation, starting with Robinson, the Cardinals’ second pick in the first round. Nichols and Jones will jam the middle with help from Tonga, a trio that figures to add more punch and disruption. Keep an eye on Collier, who returns after suffering a season-ending biceps injury last season in Week 1.
Linebacker/Edge (9)
Kyzir White, Mack Wilson Sr., Dennis Gardeck, Zaven Collins, BJ Ojulari, Krys Barnes, Victor Dimukeje, Owen Pappoe, Xavier Thomas
A solid but unspectacular group: Arizona has the middle of the defense locked down with inside linebackers such as White, Wilson Sr., Barnes and Pappoe. But there isn’t a proven sack master anywhere on the edge for a team that finished with the third-fewest sacks a year ago (33). Perhaps Ojulari can take a huge step in Year 2. It’s probably too early to expect too much out of Xavier Thomas in his rookie season. In this projection, Cameron Thomas doesn’t make the final cut.
Cornerback (6)
Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V, Elijah Jones, Kei’Trel Clark
Re-tooled and ready: This was an area the Cardinals immediately had to address this offseason and they did it by signing Murphy-Bunting to a three-year deal as a free agent and drafting a potential star to start opposite of him in Melton. Williams is projected as the likely No. 1 nickel back in a stacked group of very young cornerbacks.
Safety (4)
Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Andre Chachere
Running it back: Baker and Thompson form one of the best tandems in the league and that’s been the one standing strength of Arizona’s defense for the past handful of seasons. The addition of Taylor-Demerson, a fourth-round pick out of Texas Tech, could be a dynamic move, especially if the Cardinals were to ever move on from Baker, their six-time Pro Bowl performer.
Special Teams (3)
Matt Prater, Blake Gillikin, Aaron Brewer
Still pretty special: Prater turns 40 in August, but he’s still a reliable kicker with fantastic leg strength and accuracy, especially on field goals from 50 yards or longer. Gillikin ranked second among punters with at least 50 punts, averaging 50.6 yards. Brewer, entering his ninth season as the team’s long snapper, is as steady as they come.
(Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals 53-man roster projection: Depth chart prediction after draft
