{"id":876920,"date":"2026-04-28T12:34:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T12:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/876920\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T12:34:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T12:34:26","slug":"arizona-cardinals-roster-depth-chart-projection-after-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/876920\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Cardinals roster, depth chart projection after 2026 NFL draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

When asked to assess his own roster, Arizona Cardinals<\/a> general manager Monti Ossenfort demurred. He pointed to the remaining roster-building periods, with a trickle of free agent signings still possible before Week 1.<\/p>\n

But after the NFL draft, the vast majority of Ossenfort\u2019s work is done. The Cardinals roster today will largely be the roster that takes the field this season.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Here, then, is a full projection of the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

Cardinals take running back in 1st round of NFL draft: What’s the grade?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

Cardinals take running back in 1st round of NFL draft: What’s the grade?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a press conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Mike LaFleur (right) introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0poses with his parents L’Tyona\u00a0and\u00a0Jason Love during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Mike LaFleur (right) introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a press conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photos<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick\u00a0running back Jeremiyah Love\u00a0during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

When we last did this exercise \u2014 after free agency \u2014 it was a struggle to conjure names for the final few roster spots. This time around, the process centered more on trimming players. The Cardinals, despite their flaws, will have difficult decisions to make in August, barring significant injuries.<\/p>\n

That is the goal, of course. But it remains true: The roster is in a much healthier place now than it was a month ago, despite a bold draft strategy that focused on luxury picks.<\/p>\n

Offense<\/p>\n

Quarterback (3): Jacoby Brissett<\/a>, Gardner Minshew<\/a>, Carson Beck<\/a><\/p>\n

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After drafting Beck in the third round, the Cardinals seem set to roster three quarterbacks. The complication would be if they move on from Brissett, who is currently missing voluntary workouts as he seeks a pay raise. But Brissett also likely has the inside track to a starting job, so the Cardinals are incentivized to find a solution \u2014 and they have plenty of time to do so.<\/p>\n

The task for first-year Cards head coach Mike LaFleur will be finding enough developmental reps for Beck. LaFleur comes from a Los Angeles Rams<\/a> organization that rarely offers practice snaps to the backup quarterback. He will likely need a different approach in Arizona.<\/p>\n

Running back (4): Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier<\/a>, James Conner<\/a>, Trey Benson<\/a><\/p>\n

At no position have the Cardinals expended more resources this offseason than running back, where they drafted Love third overall, signed Allgeier and reworked Conner\u2019s contract. Suddenly, Benson \u2014 a 2024 third-round pick \u2014 is not assured of a roster spot. He missed most of last season with a knee injury but has been inconsistent when on the field and could be a surprise cut candidate if the Cardinals opt to keep just three running backs.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick running back Jeremiyah Love during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.<\/p>\n

Wide receiver (5): Michael Wilson<\/a>, Marvin Harrison Jr.<\/a>, Kendrick Bourne<\/a>, Devin Duvernay<\/a>, Reggie Virgil<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

After the primary free agency period, the Cardinals were remarkably thin at wide receiver. Now, they should have a healthy competition in that room. Duvernay has the inside track to a roster spot as a return specialist, and Virgil should have a chance to prove his deep-threat capabilities as a fifth-round pick. If the Cardinals opt to keep six receivers, they have plenty of options, namely, Simi Fehoko<\/a>, Xavier Weaver<\/a> and Jalen Brooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tight end (3): Trey McBride<\/a>, Elijah Higgins<\/a>, Tip Reiman<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cardinals left their tight end room untouched this offseason, and for good reason. McBride is their most important player, Higgins is a valuable receiving threat and Reiman is a crucial part of the run game due to his blocking capabilities. These three will all make the roster, while a fourth tight end would be a major surprise.<\/p>\n

Offensive tackle (4): Paris Johnson Jr.<\/a>, Elijah Wilkinson<\/a>, Josh Fryar<\/a>, Christian Jones<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cardinals<\/p>\n

Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) warms up during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.<\/p>\n

Right tackle remains one of the Cardinals\u2019 biggest question marks after the draft. Wilkinson is the favorite for the starting job, but he has spent most of his career as a backup at multiple offensive line spots. Entrusting him with the starting job from Day 1 is a risk.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Further down the depth chart, though, there should be a healthy competition for spots. Fryar, Jones and 2025 undrafted free agent Demontrey Jacobs<\/a> have all shown some encouraging signs in their rare opportunities for playing time. And now, seventh-round pick Jayden Williams is in the mix as well.<\/p>\n

Interior offensive line (5): Isaac Seumalo<\/a>, Hjalte Froholdt<\/a>, Chase Bisontis, Isaiah Adams<\/a>, Jon Gaines<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cardinals have made it a priority to fortify their interior this offseason, making Seumalo their highest-paid free agent and drafting Bisontis in the second round. That should enable Adams and Gaines to compete for backup roles, rather than having to start. Neither has consistently proved that they are ready for the responsibility. Free agent signing Matt Pryor<\/a> and 2025 sixth-round pick Hayden Conner<\/a> could also push for roster spots.<\/p>\n

Defense<\/p>\n

Interior defensive line (7): Walter Nolen<\/a>, Darius Robinson<\/a>, Dante Stills<\/a>, Roy Lopez<\/a>, Kaleb Proctor, Andrew Billings<\/a>, L.J. Collier<\/a><\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The interior defensive line still lacks proven high-end players beyond Nolen, but after extensive work this offseason, the Cardinals are now deep at the position. There is also a healthy diversity of skill sets here. Robinson is more of a defensive end, and Lopez is a nose tackle. Stills is sturdy against the run, and Proctor (their fourth-round pick) has an explosive first step as a pass rusher. It\u2019s hard to see where the Cardinals are going to get game-changing plays from \u2014 excluding Nolen \u2014 but this group could be better than the sum of its parts.<\/p>\n

\"Josh<\/p>\n

Josh Sweat #10 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers with teammates Jalen Thompson #34 and Budda Baker #3 during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Santa Clara, California.<\/p>\n

Edge rusher (5): Josh Sweat<\/a>, Zaven Collins<\/a>, Baron Browning<\/a>, B.J. Ojulari, Jordan Burch<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite a dearth of external additions this offseason, Ossenfort said he expects the defense to take a step forward due to improved player development and health. Nowhere is that philosophy more clear than at edge rusher. Ojulari will now be two years removed from a complex knee injury, while Burch is entering his second season. One of them will likely need to take a step forward to add pass-rushing juice to a defense that finished 28th in sack rate last season. As it stands, only Sweat is a consistent threat to opposing quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Linebacker (4): Mack Wilson<\/a>, Cody Simon<\/a>, Jack Gibbens<\/a>, Karson Sharar<\/p>\n

In his four offseasons, Ossenfort has never expended significant resources on inside linebackers. The Cardinals have often been made to pay for that approach, but they stuck by it again this spring, making additions around only the periphery. Gibbens has spent most of his career as a pass-rush specialist, while Sharar was a developmental pick in the sixth round as the Cardinals hope to maximize his standout athletic traits.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon (50) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) in the first quarter of an NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

Cornerback (6): Will Johnson<\/a>, Starling Thomas V<\/a>, Garrett Williams<\/a>, Denzel Burke<\/a>, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton<\/a><\/p>\n

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Unsurprisingly, cornerback was another position that the Cardinals did not touch this offseason, other than reworking Murphy-Bunting\u2019s deal to lower his cap hit. Johnson should be locked into one starting spot on the outside, with Williams as the nickel when he returns from his torn Achilles. Each of the other four players, though, could earn the final starting role opposite Johnson. It will be a key battle to watch in training camp.<\/p>\n

Safety (4): Budda Baker<\/a>, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson<\/a>, Andrew Wingard<\/a>, Kitan Crawford<\/a><\/p>\n

After two years spent behind Baker and Jalen Thompson<\/a> on the depth chart, Taylor-Demerson will now get his chance to prove his capabilities as a full-time starter \u2014 a job that he has shown to be ready for in his limited opportunities. Wingard was signed as free agent depth, while Crawford and Joey Blount<\/a> figure to compete for the final roster spot. Both are primarily used as special teamers.<\/p>\n

Specialists<\/p>\n

Kicker (1): Chad Ryland<\/a><\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Punter (1): Blake Gillikin<\/a><\/p>\n

Long snapper (1): Casey Kreiter<\/a><\/p>\n

Gillikin and Kreiter are the only players on the roster at their respective positions, with Gillikin set to return from a season-ending back injury suffered last October. At kicker, though, the Cardinals will have a training camp competition between Ryland and Joshua Karty<\/a>, whom they signed in December. Ryland was a revelation when the Cardinals signed him in 2024, but he struggled with his consistency for much of last season, developing a consistent miss to the right.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals roster, depth chart projection after NFL draft<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When asked to assess his own roster, Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort demurred. He pointed to the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":876921,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2078],"tags":[12836,5928,375,390,2604,7526,16525,1238,1327,2037,24383,20312,15424,2231,2953,1719,9598,7892,1181,4692,11550,11423,7,194,8132,8288,2875,10933,9314,10932,10286,7523,4079,2950,757,2952,11042,1254,2169,7522,25087,7352,2698,4751,58,12720,3374,24892,9599,11369,26287,2949,6,5222,1040,1042,6299,1731,6724,6957,11548,25211,6042,11410,1485,275,12770,10514],"class_list":["post-876920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arizona-cardinals","tag-andrew-billings","tag-andrew-wingard","tag-arizona","tag-arizona-cardinals","tag-arizonacardinals","tag-baron-browning","tag-blake-gillikin","tag-budda-baker","tag-cardinals","tag-carson-beck","tag-casey-kreiter","tag-chad-ryland","tag-christian-jones","tag-cody-simon","tag-dadrion-taylor-demerson","tag-dante-stills","tag-darius-robinson","tag-demontrey-jacobs","tag-denzel-burke","tag-devin-duvernay","tag-elijah-higgins","tag-elijah-wilkinson","tag-football","tag-free-agent","tag-gardner-minshew","tag-garrett-williams","tag-hayden-conner","tag-hjalte-froholdt","tag-isaac-seumalo","tag-isaiah-adams","tag-jack-gibbens","tag-jacoby-brissett","tag-jalen-brooks","tag-jalen-thompson","tag-james-conner","tag-joey-blount","tag-jon-gaines","tag-jordan-burch","tag-josh-fryar","tag-josh-sweat","tag-joshua-karty","tag-kendrick-bourne","tag-kitan-crawford","tag-l-j-collier","tag-los-angeles-rams","tag-mack-wilson","tag-marvin-harrison-jr","tag-matt-pryor","tag-max-melton","tag-michael-wilson","tag-mike-lafleur","tag-monti-ossenfort","tag-nfl","tag-paris-johnson-jr","tag-roster-spot","tag-roster-spots","tag-roy-lopez","tag-simi-fehoko","tag-starling-thomas-v","tag-the-cardinals","tag-tip-reiman","tag-trey-benson","tag-trey-mcbride","tag-tyler-allgeier","tag-walter-nolen","tag-will-johnson","tag-xavier-weaver","tag-zaven-collins"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/876920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=876920"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/876920\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/876921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=876920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=876920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=876920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}