The Arizona Cardinals released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday.
“As prepared by Arizona’s media relations department,” the Cardinals’ first depth chart should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, it’s unofficial.
That being said, there are still takeaways to dive into before training camp work resumes at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday.
We’ve got our first *unofficial* Arizona Cardinals depth chart 🧐 pic.twitter.com/bSBG9Ml90c
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 4, 2025
Will Johnson already viewed as a Cardinals starter
All eyes have been on 2025 second-round pick Will Johnson this training camp.
And for the most part, he hasn’t blinked getting mostly first- and second-team looks.
With Starling Thomas V and Sean Murphy-Bunting lost for the year due to season-ending injuries, Johnson’s trajectory toward a starting role was already accelerated.
Monday’s depth chart reveal was yet another example of that.
If he can continue to stay healthy and take the right steps forward, there’s no doubting his defensive impact as a rookie.
Joining Johnson as starting cornerbacks on the unofficial depth chart were Max Melton and Garrett Williams. Both Melton and Williams have shared outside reps with Johnson after Thomas went down.
Kei’Trel Clark, who Gannon has been high on this camp, rookie Denzel Burks and Jaylon Jones round out the second string.
12 defensive starters? What gives?
Arizona listed 11 starters on offense, a normal practice for every NFL team’s depth chart.
On defense, however, the Cardinals have 12 positions listed.
It may look like an error. That is unless you count the nickel as a starter (you should).
Williams has commanded that role (and commanded it well) the past couple seasons. He’s expected to get work both there and along the outside in 2025.
All together now: nickel cornerbacks are starters, too!
Jordan Burch running with the second-string pass rushers
Arizona’s pass-rushing rotation will largely include Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins and Baron Browning. That much was known heading into camp.
Two weeks in, and a fourth player has worked himself into the rotation in rookie Jordan Burch.
Working primarily with the first two teams, the young defender brings added size and athleticism to the position.
He’s definitely caught the eye of Gannon with his improvements so far this camp and should get his chances this preseason.
“(Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis) and I were just talking about his movement,” Gannon said Saturday. “He’s a big man. He weighs a lot. When you look at a guy and he looks like he weighs probably 25 pounds more than what he looks to you, that’s typically a good sign.
“He’s put together, but I wanted to see the movement and the get off and the burst and acceleration from the edge and I think he’s displayed that.”
Not many surprises beyond that, with Sweat and Collins leading the way. Browning, who’s put together a strong camp, helps round out the second rotation.
The ILB competition
It’s been a tight battle within the inside linebackers room.
We all knew Mack Wilson Sr. was getting a starting nod, especially after he announced his MIKE backer duties early on into camp.
The guy next to him, though, was very much up in the air after Kyzir White’s departure.
For now, that role appears to be Akeem Davis-Gaither’s to lose.
The free-agent addition has gotten plenty of time with the first-team defense throughout camp as he picks up Arizona’s playbook.
Not far behind him, though, sits Cody Simon and Owen Pappoe.
The rookie hasn’t gotten the same type of first-team reps he saw early on into camp but has the makeup to be a future contributor.
Pappoe, on the other hand, has flashed his abilities since coming aboard in 2023 but must take that next step in Year 3.
“I want to see him cut it loose and make plays, truthfully,” Gannon said during the first week of camp. “He knows what to do. It’s his third year now. He’s played good ball for us.
“I want to see at the point of attack, does he make it? That’s all of our guys, truthfully, but he’s the guy that I got my eye on because he can do it. But when we’re there, do we make it?”
Zay Jones pacing WR3 battle
The competition for WR3 has come down to three candidates:
– Zay Jones
– Greg Dortch
– Xavier Weaver
Before the depth chart dropped, Jones was already the leader in the clubhouse for the role.
Monday’s development makes it more solidified with the preseason slate quickly approaching.
Jones has gotten a lot of work with quarterback Kyler Murray and the first-team offense this camp, working alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.
After posting limited numbers and seeing an abbreviated first season in Arizona due to a five-game suspension last year, Jones’ connection with Murray has taken a step forward.
He can also play all three wide receiver roles, as made evident this past week with both Harrison (knee soreness/illness) and Wilson (concussion protocol) sidelined with their respective injuries.
Starting offensive line already solidified?
It wouldn’t be wise to write out Arizona’s first unofficial depth chart in permanent ink. I promise it’s going to look different by the time Week 1 of the regular season rolls around.
But of the areas that you could trust putting pen to paper to, the starting offensive line is right up there near the top.
Right guard Isaiah Adams has helped solidify a unit that returns four Week 1 starters from a year ago.
The second-year pro has been one of the top standouts this camp, whether it be standing up Darius Robinson in 1-on-1 work, covering ground in the red zone drills or holding court in the locker room.
Isaiah Adams vs. Darius Robinson 😤 pic.twitter.com/lizBcBNBaA
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) July 29, 2025
