Preseason games can be difficult to watch at times, but for the players competing for jobs, the time on the field is crucial. Even still, it’s always to important to pay attention to who is on the field, especially for the opponent.

Aside from production, coaches focus on players being where they are supposed to be and carrying out their assignments.

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As the Arizona Cardinals prepare to play the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. Arizona time, here are some players to keep an eye on.

RB Trey Benson (No. 33)

While starters are scheduled to play, it’s not known where James Conner fits in that scenario. If he does play, it likely won’t be much, so much of the spotlight is expected to be on Benson, who has shown strides from his rookie season.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said this week that progress has been with “his understanding of everything that he’s doing that Autry’s (running backs coach Autry Denson) teaching. Everything from his tracks to his vision to his pad level to the timing of the play. That’s helping him. He’s a step ahead of last year. And I think a really big piece, what he’s done a good job, is protections, because that’s a hard thing for some guys at times.

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“And that can help increase your role if we feel confident that you can do the right thing and not just mentally get on the right people, but physically block the right people. So I think he’s doing a really good job with that.”

Gannon also noted his development as a receiver.

“What I would say; I don’t know if this going to shock you, but being in the right spot,” Gannon emphasized. “He can run routes and get open and he can catch it. You got to be in the right spot all the time. Which you would say to that point; that should be easy, right? Not all the time. With protection, if he’s just called from the backfield, run to the flat, he’s not going to bust that.

“But there’s different things with checkdowns and coverage structures and the pocket and where his eyes are. Pre-snap, what’s going on, where the quarterback needs him to get to. I think all our backs have done a better job of that.”

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OLB Jordan Burch (No. 52)

The rookie third-round pick should have opportunities to make his presence felt Saturday.

Asked about Burch’s improvement, defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said, “I really wanted to stress to him just getting off the ball and accelerate. I want to see that burst and I feel like he’s taken a step there. Physically, he’s improving. He’s poured a lot into that part of his game.

“But I think also when you get really comfortable with what you’re doing, you’ll see guys start to play a little bit more fluid and that’s not necessarily a physical thing that they’ve changed. Sometimes it’s the mental. So I think it’s a combination of both those things and he’s flashed some really good things.”

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CBs Kei’Trel Clark (No. 13), Denzel Burke (No. 29), Jaylon Jones (No. 37)

There is a battle for jobs behind Garrett Williams, Max Melton and rookie Will Johnson.

Clark is in is third season with the team, Burke was a fifth-round pick this year and Jones was signed in March after playing three seasons with the Bears.

However, don’t look for them only on defense. Special teams will also be a major consideration in deciding roster spots.

DL Elijah Simmons (No. 96)

A mountain of a man at 6-foot-1, 335 pounds, the rookie free agent moves well. With injuries still affecting Bilal Nichols (PUP), Walter Nolen III (PUP) and Justin Jones (knee), Simmons should get the chance for some quality snaps.

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And, as a side note, he can sing. The team’s rookie show was Monday night, and Gannon mentioned Simmons as one of the standouts. When asked if he sang, Gannon said, “He sang. He sang. And then like it was so good, he got a standing ovation. Then he was about to sit down and they said, ‘Get back up there and keep singing.’ So, it was good.”

We’ll see if his play can match his voice.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals players to watch in preseason opener vs. Chiefs