The Arizona Cardinals made the necessary moves to get their roster down to 53 players. There were a few surprises in terms of cuts and many expected moves.

A few players made the roster who were at least mild surprises.

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In every case, they deserved it, but it was a matter of who else was on the roster ahead of him.

Who are the surprises to make the roster?

RB Bam Knight

Knight was the running back at the back of the roster. He played at the very end of preseason games, and the Cardinals’ running back room looked locked in with James Conner, Trey Benson, Emaro Demercado and DeeJay Dallas.

Dallas didn’t make the roster, which opened the door for Knight. His role on special teams to replace Dallas is yet to be determined, but he gives the Cardinals more offensive upside at the fourth running back spot. We can guess he will also return kickoffs, considering he led the nation in kickoff return average his final year in college.

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OL Josh Fryar

Fryar is the only undrafted rookie to make the team. He is the team’s ninth offensive lineman and probably will be inactive on game days, unless there is an injury, as he is the fourth tackle on the roster.

Were it not for the injuries to tackle Christian Jones and rookie guard Hayden Conner, Fryar might not would have made the squad. What is intriguing about him is the connection with offensive line coach Justin Frye and the tackle situation. In 2026, Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum will be free agents. Perhaps Fryar will be at least the team’s backup swing tackle next year.

DL P.J. Mustipher

Mustipher was praised all offseason, but the deep defensive line room made it seem unlikely he could make the team. However, Bilal Nichols, Walter Nolen and Justin Jones are all hurt, which opened the door.

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CB Elijah Jones

The Cardinals ended up keeping 11 defensive backs, including six cornerbacks. Jones, a 2024 third-round pick, has the tools, but missed all last season with an injury and didn’t look great in training camp. He made plays late in the preseason, but even with injuries to Sean Murphy-Bunting and Star Thomas, it seemed unlikely he would be on the roster because six corners is a lot.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals have 4 surprise players on final roster