Arizona
Arizona Cardinals roster, depth chart projection after free agency
The primary free agent period is over, and the Arizona Cardinals addressed precious few of their needs.
A year ago, they used this time to add a Pro Bowl edge rusher and two starting defensive tackles to build a roster that looked — on paper — capable of competing for a playoff spot. This time around, their moves have mostly been on the periphery, bolstering their depth without fixing the biggest issues.
As a result, their external perception has rarely been lower. On DraftKings, they are currently +1800 to reach the playoffs — odds twice as bad as any other team. Ten teams have better odds to win the Super Bowl than the Cardinals do to make the playoffs.
So, where does the roster stand? The Cardinals have seven draft picks, most of whom will make the team, but for now, here is our 53-man roster projection.
Offense
Quarterback (2): Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew
Of the two most intriguing quarterback options on the free agent market, the Cardinals missed out on one (Malik Willis) and cut the other (Kyler Murray). Instead, they opted for a backup signing in Minshew, meaning that Brissett remains the presumptive starter heading into draft season. It’s the primary reason that oddsmakers view them as the worst team in the NFL.
Running back (4): Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, Trey Benson, Bam Knight
A week ago, this seemed as if it could be Benson’s backfield. But the Cardinals avoided cutting Conner by re-negotiating his contract, then signed Allgeier to a two-year deal. Now, Benson looks like the third back in a three-man committee. While there is plenty of experience in this room, it’s an odd mix — none of these players profiles as a third-down, pass-catching back.
Wide receiver (6): Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Kendrick Bourne, Jalen Brooks, Xavier Weaver, Andre Baccellia
The Cardinals’ wide receiver corps is among their better position groups, and they augmented it by signing Bourne to a two-year deal. He immediately becomes a reliable third option behind Wilson and Harrison. The issue is further down the depth chart, where none of the Cardinals’ options have any track record of note in the NFL.
Tight end (3): Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman
The Cardinals haven’t made any moves at tight end because there’s no need to. McBride is their best player and arguably the best tight end in the NFL. Higgins is a solid yards-after-catch threat who fills his role well as the second tight end. And Reiman is a blocking-first tight end who makes the run game tick. This is Arizona’s best position group.
Offensive tackle (4): Paris Johnson Jr., Elijah Wilkinson, Josh Fryar, Christian Jones
The Cardinals added Wilkinson on a two-year deal in free agency, giving themselves a viable option at right tackle if they don’t find one in the draft. He has primarily been a backup throughout his career, at both guard and tackle, but did fill in suitably as a starter for the Falcons last year. Further down the depth chart, there are some homegrown young players who have shown small flashes in their rare snaps — Fryar, Jones and Demontrey Jacobs. Those players would vie for backup spots, as the roster is currently constructed.
Interior offensive line (6): Isaac Seumalo, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams, Jon Gaines, Matt Pryor, Hayden Conner
Seumalo’s three-year deal was the Cardinals’ biggest investment of free agency, and it shores up one guard spot. Center, meanwhile, is secure with Froholdt. The other guard spot, though, looks like a competition between Adams and Gaines. Both players showed positive signs late last season. Pryor, a one-year free agent signing, can play all across the line and will provide depth if he makes the roster.
Defense
Interior defensive line (6): Walter Nolen, Darius Robinson, Dante Stills, Roy Lopez, L.J. Collier, Jonah Williams
The Cardinals made a clear effort to improve their defensive line depth after releasing Dalvin Tomlinson. They brought back Collier on a one-year deal and added Lopez and Williams, the former of whom fills a need at nose tackle. The problem: No one other than Nolen projects as anything close to an impact player. A team can only ride serviceable depth so far.
Edge rusher (5): Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, B.J. Ojulari, Jordan Burch
The Cardinals’ edge group is untouched so far this offseason. No additions, no departures. Sweat was excellent in his first season in Arizona, but no one else here has proven to be a high-level sack threat, so the Cardinals could opt for an edge rusher with the No. 3 pick.
Linebacker (3): Mack Wilson, Cody Simon, Owen Pappoe
As expected, the Cardinals released Akeem Davis-Gaither, saving $5.2 million against the cap. But they also have not replaced him, which leaves an awfully thin group. Wilson will likely once again operate the defense as the ‘green dot’ linebacker, but Simon endured some rookie struggles last season. Entrusting him with a starting job from day one of training camp would be a risk.
Cornerback (6): Will Johnson, Starling Thomas V, Garrett Williams, Denzel Burke, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton
The cornerback room is unique in that it’s the spot where the Cardinals have abundant depth. Every player here could compete for a starting role. And yet, the second outside spot remains a major question mark. Johnson figures to start at one spot, with Williams operating as the nickel when he returns from his torn Achilles. But no one immediately jumps out as a reliable starter opposite Johnson.
Safety (5): Budda Baker, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Andrew Wingard, Kitan Crawford, Joey Blount
The Cardinals allowed Jalen Thompson to leave in free agency after seven seasons, then filled his spot on the roster with Wingard, who has mostly served as a backup throughout his career. That serves as a vote of confidence in Taylor-Demerson, who was the third safety over the past two years but will now step into a starting job.
Specialists
Kicker (1): Chad Ryland
Punter (1): Blake Gillikin
Long snapper (1): Casey Kreiter
The Cardinals brought back both Ryland and Gillikin, both of whom were restricted free agents. Gillikin is entrenched at punter, while Ryland will compete with Joshua Karty for the kicker spot, though he appears to have the upper hand. The lone addition to the specialists’ room is Kreiter, who spent the past five years with the Giants. He is also familiar with the new special teams coach, Michael Ghobrial, from their time together in New York.
That was the lingering element inside a quiet visitors’ clubhouse after the San Francisco Giants dropped a 6-3 decision to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon, completing a three-game sweep at Chase Field.
Republic photographer Rob Schumacher was a master with the camera
The longtime award-winning Arizona Republic photographer captured not just events with his camera, but the feelings of the big moments.
Rob Schumacher shared the triumphs and tribulations of the world with The Arizona Republic’s readers through his photography for 35 years.
Schumacher, 62, who died Sunday, May 17, covered Olympic Games, Super Bowls, Masters golf tournaments, riots and natural disasters, as well as intimate portraits of everyday people in Arizona.
He won dozens of awards for his work, including having his image, “Foul Ball,” named Photo of the Year by the Arizona Associated Press Managing Editors in 2003 and being named Arizona Photojournalist of the Year by the Arizona Press Club in 2020.
“For him, it was more than just a job,” said Cheryl Evans, a former photographer at The Republic who worked with him for years. “It was his passion. I mean, he lived and breathed photojournalism.”
Here’s a look at his legacy through some of his most jaw-dropping images.
ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals have just finished their first set of voluntary offseason team activities, and there’s plenty to talk about.
We posted our sights and sounds video already (which you can check out here), though that didn’t quite cover everything we saw in Tempe.
Five biggest takeaways from being at the team’s facility for offseason team activities:
1. Notable Absences
All of Jacoby Brissett, Josh Sweat, Baron Browning, L.J. Collier, and Trey Benson were not present for the voluntary portion of offseason team activities.
Brissett continues to hope for a new contract while Sweat apparently is a healthy absence according to Arizona Sports. Collier had a personal day while Browning’s absence is unknown.
According to @Gambo987 just now on @BurnsAndGambo, Josh Sweat is not hurt despite being absent from OTAs.
L.J. Collier, meanwhile, had a personal day yesterday.
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 19, 2026
Starling Thomas and James Conner were spotted working off to the side while Tip Reiman (more on him later) and Walter Nolen III were also spotted on the sidelines. Garrett Williams posted on social media him getting recovery work in, too.
Benson suffered a season-ending injury last season, so he could be rehabbing elsewhere. Players who do not show in Tempe won’t be fined, though anybody who misses mandatory minicamp (June 8-10) will.
2. Jeremiyah Love Returning Kicks?
One of the biggest storylines was the emergence of No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love returning some kicks during the open portion of practice this week. Max Melton was also an interesting name back there as well.
This caused a firestorm of overreactions on Love and the Cardinals’ potential usage of him. Many saw this as Love having to work his way through special teams while others think this will add more unnecessary hits if he is indeed on return duties.
“You’re experimenting with everyone in terms of a lot of different spots,” Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur told 98.7’s Burns and Gambo. “… Jeremiyah is a running back. We know that. But you never know.”
I wouldn’t read too much into this — at least right now. WR Devin Duvernay was signed this offseason as a primary return man.
3. Rookies Take (Expected) Back Seat
Neither Love or third-round rookie quarterback Carson Beck had dibs on the first taste of action with the starting unit while media were allowed to view practice.
That’s fine, and more importantly, very expected.
Even with Brissett out, it was the veteran Gardner Minshew repping with the first team offense. Tyler Allgeier was the main back for the Cardinals’ top offensive players.
Rookies, at this point in the offseason, are placed behind veterans purposefully. Even if this is the case in training camp, fans shouldn’t freak out if Allgeier is still over Love in the “pecking order” Arizona has.
This is simply the Cardinals working in their inexperienced players at a reasonable rate.
4. Sean Murphy-Bunting’s Position Change
Murphy-Bunting suffered a season-ending injury before even stepping into 2025 and was largely thought to be a cut candidate entering the offseason in a crowded cornerbacks room.
However, the Cardinals have apparently changed his position.
Murphy-Bunting, typically a boundary cornerback, was spotted working out with the safety group. Cornerback Will Johnson confirmed Murphy-Bunting was set to be a nickel corner, which serves Arizona as Williams is not expected to be ready for the start of the season due to injury.
When you’re trimming a roster down to 53, versatility matters.
5. Injury Updates
The Cardinals lost their top run-blocker in tight end Tip Reiman early last season with a right leg injury and is expected to be ready for training camp, according to LaFleur.
“Not going to dive too far into that, but [we] do expect him to be healthy, ready to roll when we get going in training camp. Another guy that I had a lot of respect for coming out of Illinois,” LaFleur told reporters.
“… Tip is all of the right stuff in terms of how he approaches it, and stuff like that. It’s unfortunate, obviously what happened a year ago, but [I believe he is a] big piece of where I think we can go.”
LaFleur was then asked about Benson, which drew a, “Kind of that same type of thing,” response from the Cardinals coach.
The Cardinals again will hit the practice field on May 21 where voluntary OTA’s continue.
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