State of the Roster - Post Draft - 2025

[Chopper0080]

Draft is in the books, let's look at the roster as it stands. (Offense first)

QB - 3 (likely to keep 2 or 3)
Kyler Murray
Jacoby Brissett
Clayton Tune

*I think this group is pretty straightforward. Roster may dictate they put Tune on the PS.

RB - 6 (likely to keep 4)
James Conner
Trey Benson
Emari Demercado
Deejay Dallas
Michael Carter - PS/Cut
Bam Knight - PS/Cut

*Another straightforward group. I don't see Carter beating out any of the incumbents.

WR - 10 (likely to keep 6)
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Michael Wilson
Zay Jones
Simi Fohoko
Greg Dortch
Quez Watkins - PS/Cut
Andre Baccellia - PS/Cut
Trishton Jackson - PS/Cut
Tejhaun Palmer - PS/Cut
Xavier Weaver

*A tricky room. I think the contracts for Dortch and Fohoko keep them on the roster. Weaver got a little bit of run at the end of last year and I think he might be the last WR in. I thought Watkins might, but his contract is low and is output is minimal. Maybe a ST guy if he makes it?


TE - 5 (likely to keep 3 or 4)
Trey McBride
Tip Reiman
Elijah Higgins
Travis Vokolek - PS/Cut
Bernhard Seikovits - International

*Because of how much they use multiple TEs, I could see Vokolek making the 53, but it will be a tougher feat with a better roster.

OL - 15 (likeley keep 9)
Paris Johnson Jr
Evan Brown
Hjalte Froholdt
Isaiah Adams
Jonah Williams
Kelvin Beachum
Christian Jones
Jon Gaines II
Hayden Conner
Jake Curhan - PS/Cut
McClendon Curtis - PS/Cut
Sincere Haynesworth - PS/Cut
Matthew Jones - PS/Cut
Nick Leverett - PS/Cut
Royce Newman - PS/Cut

*I think Gaines and Conner are both vulnerable here but I don't see a clear candidate at this moment.

So, at this point, I see the offensive portion of the roster carrying between 24 and 26 players. I will heat up some food and then do the defense.

 

[Chopper0080]

Defense

DL - 11 (likely keep 6-8)
Dalvin Tomlinson
Calais Campbell
Justin Jones
Darius Robinson
Walter Nolen
Bilal Nichols
Dante Stills
LJ Collier
Ben Stille - PS/Cut
Anthony Goodlow - PS/Cut
PJ Mustiphar - PS/Cut

*A significantly more talented group than 2024. I have a tough time seeing the team cutting/trading Stills or Collier much less both. I think they keep 7 and outside of an injury, I think Stills beats our Collier. Some might say Nichols goes, but he is the only real NT option behind Tomlinson.

EDGE - 8 (likely keep 5)
Josh Sweat
Zaven Collins
Baron Browning
Jordan Burch
BJ Ojulari
Xavier Thomas - PS/Cut
Elliott Brown - PS/Cut
Benton Whitley - PS/Cut

*I am sure some will argue the Cardinals will keep 6 players, and thus keeping Thomas. I think he is cooked for now in terms of the final roster.

ILB - 7 (likely keep 4)
Mack Wilson Sr.
Akeem Davis-Gaither
Cody Simon
Mykal Walker
Owen Pappoe - PS/Cut
Milo Eifler - PS/Cut
Vi Jones - PS/Cut

*I think the Owen Pappoe experiment ends here. Walker got a decent chunk of cash, and Simon was a 4th rounder. Roster too good to keep more of these players IMO.

CB - 12 (likely keep 6)
Sean Murphy Bunting
Garrett Williams
Max Melton
Will Johnson
Starling Thomas V
Elijah Jones
Denzel Burke - PS/Cut
Kei'trel Clark - PS/Cut
Jaden Davis - PS/Cut
Ekow Boye-Doe - PS/Cut
Darren Hall - PS/Cut
Jaylon Jones - PS/Cut

*This is a strange one. Do you keep the 5th round pick in Burke who is 22 or the 3rd round pick in Jones who is 25 (3rd oldest CB on the roster)? They both have the same number of NFL snaps. It would be a bad look to just cut your 3rd round pick from the year before, but it may happen.

S - 6 (keep 4)
Budda Baker
Jalen Thompson
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
Joey Blount
Kitan Crawford - PS/Cut
Jammie Robinson - PS/Cut

*this feels pretty clear.

This brings the defense roster range to between 25 and 27.

 

[Chopper0080]

So 3 specials.

24-26 on offense. Last two out IMO are Clayton Tune and Travis Vokolek.

25-27 on defense. Last two out IMO are LJ Collier and Dante Stills.

 

[kerouac9]

I think you can get Joey Blount to the practice squad and keep arguably your best IDL from 2024 in Dante Stills.

Both Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols are locked into a roster spot. Oof.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think QB, RB, TE are set on offense. DL, EDGE, CB, S are set on defense.

I could see WR, OL, and ILB are still able to be upgraded though ILB is less likely than WR and OL IMO.

 

[ajcardfan]

I personally think Ojulari is not a lock to make the roster. He had 4 sacks in 17 games, XT had 2.5 in 10. Basically the same rate.

I also have doubts that Justin Jones will be on the final roster.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think you can get Joey Blount to the practice squad and keep arguably your best IDL from 2024 in Dante Stills.

Both Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols are locked into a roster spot. Oof.

I am pretty sure Stills makes it.

I think Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols are fine rotational players. I wouldn't be shocked if one of them asked for a trade.

 

[Harry]

Draft is in the books, let's look at the roster as it stands. (Offense first)

QB - 3 (likely to keep 2 or 3)
Kyler Murray
Jacoby Brissett
Clayton Tune

*I think this group is pretty straightforward. Roster may dictate they put Tune on the PS.

RB - 6 (likely to keep 4)
James Conner
Trey Benson
Emari Demercado
Deejay Dallas
Michael Carter - PS/Cut
Bam Knight - PS/Cut

*Another straightforward group. I don't see Carter beating out any of the incumbents.

WR - 10 (likely to keep 6)
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Michael Wilson
Zay Jones
Simi Fohoko
Greg Dortch
Quez Watkins - PS/Cut
Andre Baccellia - PS/Cut
Trishton Jackson - PS/Cut
Tejhaun Palmer - PS/Cut
Xavier Weaver

*A tricky room. I think the contracts for Dortch and Fohoko keep them on the roster. Weaver got a little bit of run at the end of last year and I think he might be the last WR in. I thought Watkins might, but his contract is low and is output is minimal. Maybe a ST guy if he makes it?


TE - 5 (likely to keep 3 or 4)
Trey McBride
Tip Reiman
Elijah Higgins
Travis Vokolek - PS/Cut
Bernhard Seikovits - International

*Because of how much they use multiple TEs, I could see Vokolek making the 53, but it will be a tougher feat with a better roster.

OL - 15 (likeley keep 9)
Paris Johnson Jr
Evan Brown
Hjalte Froholdt
Isaiah Adams
Jonah Williams
Kelvin Beachum
Christian Jones
Jon Gaines II
Hayden Conner
Jake Curhan - PS/Cut
McClendon Curtis - PS/Cut
Sincere Haynesworth - PS/Cut
Matthew Jones - PS/Cut
Nick Leverett - PS/Cut
Royce Newman - PS/Cut

*I think Gaines and Conner are both vulnerable here but I don't see a clear candidate at this moment.

So, at this point, I see the offensive portion of the roster carrying between 24 and 26 players. I will heat up some food and then do the defense.

Works for me but I anticipate additions.

 

[BritCard]

Draft is in the books, let's look at the roster as it stands. (Offense first)

QB - 3 (likely to keep 2 or 3)
Kyler Murray
Jacoby Brissett
Clayton Tune

*I think this group is pretty straightforward. Roster may dictate they put Tune on the PS.

RB - 6 (likely to keep 4)
James Conner
Trey Benson
Emari Demercado
Deejay Dallas
Michael Carter - PS/Cut
Bam Knight - PS/Cut

*Another straightforward group. I don't see Carter beating out any of the incumbents.

WR - 10 (likely to keep 6)
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Michael Wilson
Zay Jones
Simi Fohoko
Greg Dortch
Quez Watkins - PS/Cut
Andre Baccellia - PS/Cut
Trishton Jackson - PS/Cut
Tejhaun Palmer - PS/Cut
Xavier Weaver

*A tricky room. I think the contracts for Dortch and Fohoko keep them on the roster. Weaver got a little bit of run at the end of last year and I think he might be the last WR in. I thought Watkins might, but his contract is low and is output is minimal. Maybe a ST guy if he makes it?


TE - 5 (likely to keep 3 or 4)
Trey McBride
Tip Reiman
Elijah Higgins
Travis Vokolek - PS/Cut
Bernhard Seikovits - International

*Because of how much they use multiple TEs, I could see Vokolek making the 53, but it will be a tougher feat with a better roster.

OL - 15 (likeley keep 9)
Paris Johnson Jr
Evan Brown
Hjalte Froholdt
Isaiah Adams
Jonah Williams
Kelvin Beachum
Christian Jones
Jon Gaines II
Hayden Conner
Jake Curhan - PS/Cut
McClendon Curtis - PS/Cut
Sincere Haynesworth - PS/Cut
Matthew Jones - PS/Cut
Nick Leverett - PS/Cut
Royce Newman - PS/Cut

*I think Gaines and Conner are both vulnerable here but I don't see a clear candidate at this moment.

So, at this point, I see the offensive portion of the roster carrying between 24 and 26 players. I will heat up some food and then do the defense.

I think they resign Hernandez. I'm like 85% on that. I think Gaines would go. Barely played last year. Coaches seem to have made their mind up.

I would hope they add a vet WR, a good vet WR, to the group. I'm not a big fan of anyone past Wilson.

 

[Harry]

I personally think Ojulari is not a lock to make the roster. He had 4 sacks in 17 games, XT had 2.5 in 10. Basically the same rate.

I also have doubts that Justin Jones will be on the final roster.

I agree, it’s that old availability thing. If he can’t stay healthy, despite potential, he could go.

 

[Chopper0080]

Possible trade candidates. (after June 1)

Justin Jones - DL
*Only costs 3.25 mil if cut and frees up 8.08 mil. I think he stays but the writing seems to be on the wall for a reduced role.

Bilal Nichols - DL
*Costs 2 mil if cut, but frees up 5.81 mil. His role as backup NT limits this even more than Jones IMO.

LJ Collier - DL
*No real money hit here. He may just want a larger role and ask to be moved. Teams may not want to give up anything for him.

BJ Ojulari - EDGE
*I don't think the Cardinals do this, but maybe someone makes them an offer they can't refuse. I don't believe the EDGE room is deep enough to force a move.

Sean Murphy Bunting - CB
*The main vet in the group, he costs 2 mil but frees up 7.95 mil if traded. Maybe a team gets desperate for a vet CB and inquires about him.

Elijah Jones - CB
*Can you get something for him vs cutting him if Burke looks good?

 

[Chopper0080]

I personally think Ojulari is not a lock to make the roster. He had 4 sacks in 17 games, XT had 2.5 in 10. Basically the same rate.

I also have doubts that Justin Jones will be on the final roster.

They could but I just don't see real reason to cut him and I don't think they only carry 4.

 

[BritCard]

*I am sure some will argue the Cardinals will keep 6 players, and thus keeping Thomas. I think he is cooked for now in terms of the final roster.

Me! I think XT sticks and they keep 6.

I think they move SMB out of the CB room. Likely via trade, his contract isn't much and he has trade value. Something like a 6th. I think Justin Jones gets the same.

 

[Harry]

Defense

DL - 11 (likely keep 6-8)
Dalvin Tomlinson
Calais Campbell
Justin Jones
Darius Robinson
Walter Nolen
Bilal Nichols
Dante Stills
LJ Collier
Ben Stille - PS/Cut
Anthony Goodlow - PS/Cut
PJ Mustiphar - PS/Cut

*A significantly more talented group than 2024. I have a tough time seeing the team cutting/trading Stills or Collier much less both. I think they keep 7 and outside of an injury, I think Stills beats our Collier. Some might say Nichols goes, but he is the only real NT option behind Tomlinson.

EDGE - 8 (likely keep 5)
Josh Sweat
Zaven Collins
Baron Browning
Jordan Burch
BJ Ojulari
Xavier Thomas - PS/Cut
Elliott Brown - PS/Cut
Benton Whitley - PS/Cut

*I am sure some will argue the Cardinals will keep 6 players, and thus keeping Thomas. I think he is cooked for now in terms of the final roster.

ILB - 7 (likely keep 4)
Mack Wilson Sr.
Akeem Davis-Gaither
Cody Simon
Mykal Walker
Owen Pappoe - PS/Cut
Milo Eifler - PS/Cut
Vi Jones - PS/Cut

*I think the Owen Pappoe experiment ends here. Walker got a decent chunk of cash, and Simon was a 4th rounder. Roster too good to keep more of these players IMO.

CB - 12 (likely keep 6)
Sean Murphy Bunting
Garrett Williams
Max Melton
Will Johnson
Starling Thomas V
Elijah Jones
Denzel Burke - PS/Cut
Kei'trel Clark - PS/Cut
Jaden Davis - PS/Cut
Ekow Boye-Doe - PS/Cut
Darren Hall - PS/Cut
Jaylon Jones - PS/Cut

*This is a strange one. Do you keep the 5th round pick in Burke who is 22 or the 3rd round pick in Jones who is 25 (3rd oldest CB on the roster)? They both have the same number of NFL snaps. It would be a bad look to just cut your 3rd round pick from the year before, but it may happen.

S - 6 (keep 4)
Budda Baker
Jalen Thompson
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
Joey Blount
Kitan Crawford - PS/Cut
Jammie Robinson - PS/Cut

*this feels pretty clear.

This brings the defense roster range to between 25 and 27.

Stills stays, Pappoe goes. Might be some surprises in the secondary groups. If a couple of those guys show potential they may force some action because of their special teams ability. Blount stays, but this will be a group to watch.

 

[BritCard]

Elijah Jones - CB
*Can you get something for him vs cutting him if Burke looks good?

WHy are people always down on Jones? He could be great. People keep trying to move him before they see him play.

 

[ajcardfan]

WHy are people always down on Jones? He could be great. People keep trying to move him before they see him play.

He did play 4 games last year. Three tackles and mostly looking like he was playing on roller skates kind of dampened my optimism for him.

 

[Chopper0080]

WHy are people always down on Jones? He could be great. People keep trying to move him before they see him play.

Always down? He is the 3rd oldest CB on the roster. Basically, if he can't clearly beat out Burke why would you keep the 25 year old over the 22 year old?

 

[Chopper0080]

He did play 4 games last year. Three tackles and mostly looking like he was playing on roller skates kind of dampened my optimism for him.

Did he play? I thought they IR'd him for the season.

 

[football karma]

Both Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols are locked into a roster spot. Oof.

you could get to the end of training camp and probably trade one of them to a team that had a starter go down -- even if you get a 7th

to the acquiring team -- each has 2 years left at a $6-$7mm annual salary / cap hit. Those are decent contracts

 

[BritCard]

He did play 4 games last year. Three tackles and mostly looking like he was playing on roller skates kind of dampened my optimism for him.

Jones didn't play any games last year.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Jones didn't play any games last year.

Wrong.

Justin Jones 2024 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN

The 2024 NFL season stats per game for Justin Jones of the Arizona Cardinals on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

He looked awful whilst out there.

 

[ajcardfan]

Jones didn't play any games last year.

Yes, he did. And the fact that you and chopper draw a complete blank on it should be a clue as to how well he played.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Do you keep the 5th round pick in Burke who is 22 or the 3rd round pick in Jones who is 25 (3rd oldest CB on the roster)? They both have the same number of NFL snaps. It would be a bad look to just cut your 3rd round pick from the year before, but it may happen.

Jones is certainly one of the oddest decisions from Monti, and I had no idea he's a 25 year old rookie. I had forgotten he was even on the team before the offseason...you'd like to get something out of a top 90 player.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Yes, he did. And the fact that you and chopper draw a complete blank on it should be a clue as to how well he played.

If only he were merely anonymous...he was putrid. PFF (insert laugh here) had him at 217 of 219 DLs for run defense, 196th of 219 DLs for pass rush. Whether you believe PFF means anything at all or if you watched him, it was pretty ugly.

 

[DVontel]

Still don’t understand the Elijah Jones pick a year later.