Cardinals players from last season who are on roster bubble this year
The Arizona Cardinals open training camp with veterans reporting Tuesday. It is the beginning of the battle to prepare for the season and compete for a spot on the final roster.
Some players are sure locks to make the team. Others are longshots and others, even though they were on the team a year ago, are on the bubble.
Below are the players who were on last year’s 53-man roster whose spot this year is uncertain. They are on the bubble to make the team.
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QB Trace McSorley
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
As the third quarterback, the Cardinals are always looking for something better. They might choose to keep a third QB on the practice squad, rather than on the 53-man roster.
RB Jonathan Ward
His special teams prowess almost makes him a lock for the team but as the Cardinals drafted Keaontay Ingram in the sixth round, if the rookie shows the same prowess and has better upside as a running back, Ward might not make the team.
WR Greg Dortch
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Dortch was elevated a couple of times. It comes down to numbers in the receiving room.
WR Antoine Wesley
Wesley is close to a lock because of his length and play late last season. But he is not a sure thing. As the fifth or sixth receiver, he could be beaten out.
WR Andy Isabella
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Isabella seems eternally on the bubble. He was given permission to seek a trade but apparently nothing materialized. He has versatility, speed and return capabilities, so there is a chance he makes the team, especially with DeAndre Hopkins’ suspension to start the year.
OL Sean Harlow
(AP Photo/John McCoy)
He is currently the backup center and started games last season at guard and center, but if rookie Lecitus Smith can do enough to be the backup center, Harlow might not make the squad.
OL Josh Miles
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The Cardinals like the progress he has made since getting drafted, but as the last O-lineman on the roster, he could be replaced by someone.
DL Michael Dogbe
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The team really likes Dogbe, but his contract makes him anything but a sure thing. He has no guaranteed money and it is the same contract as veteran Kingsley Keke.
OLB Victor Dimukeje
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With the influx of third-round draft picks Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, along with the return of Dennis Gardeck, Devon Kennard and Markus Golden, it will come down to whether or not they will keep six outside linebackers.
LB Tanner Vallejo
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It appears that he, Joe Walker and newcomer Ben Niemann are all battling for the same roster spot.
LB Joe Walker
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He is the type of player you always try and replace but somehow end up going back to. He, Vallejo and Niemann appear to be battling for the same spot on the roster.
CB Antonio Hamilton
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Hamilton isn’t quite a bubble player but isn’t a lock for the roster, even though he has half a million dollars in guaranteed salary this coming season.
S Deionte Thompson
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Thompson has been unremarkable but hasn’t been bad. He is a physical hitter and has gotten some playing time. However, with three safeties likely a lock for the roster already, he and James Wiggins might be battling for the same spot.
S James Wiggins
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Wiggins’ knee injury cut his rookie season short. He has special teams prowess and perhaps defensive upside. He and DT probably are battling for one spot.
