GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals opened training camp on July 27 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals finished the 2020 season 8-8, good for third place in the NFC West. They have not reached the playoffs since the 2015 season when they reached the NFC Championship Game. The Cardinals return 17 starters from last season's team as well as head coach Kliff Kingsbury and coordinators Vance Joseph (defense) and Jeff Rodgers (special teams). Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Kyler Murray, Chris Streveler, Colt McCoy
Murray enters the season as an MVP candidate but Kingsbury is a big fan of Streveler despite the quarterback having very little NFL experience. McCoy will play the role of the wily veteran who can guide and mentor the other two, and play when absolutely needed.
RUNNING BACK (4): Chase Edmonds, James Conner, Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward
Edmonds and Conner will split the primary reps to start, with whoever has the hot hand getting the ball. Benjamin, who did not play last season as a rookie, will likely be the third option or split that role with Ward.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5): DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, KeeSean Johnson, Rondale Moore
Andy Isabella's days in Arizona are likely done with the addition of Moore. Johnson will have to have a very good camp to keep his job but another receiver or two could fill out this room by Week 1.
TIGHT END (2): Maxx Williams, Darrell Daniels.
There will likely be another tight end on the roster by the time camp ends. Who that is will be decided during camp.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, Rodney Hudson, Justin Murray, Kelvin Beachum, Brian Winters, Josh Miles, Josh Jones, Max Garcia, Koda Martin.
The most notable position battle in camp will be for right guard. Murray has a leg up because of his experience but he'll get a run from Winters and Jones.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): J.J. Watt, Zach Allen, Jordan Phillips, Xavier Williams, Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence
One of the most experienced positions on the roster with the addition of Watt and Williams but another lineman or two may be added by the end of camp. Allen is looking to play a full season, and Fotu and Lawrence are coming off productive rookie seasons.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Markus Golden, Dennis Gardeck
Jones missed all but five games last season with a biceps injury so he's eager to return to his 2019 form. Gardeck is recovering from an ACL injury. Kennard and Golden will come in to spell Jones and Watt off the edge.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins, Zeke Turner, Tanner Vallejo, Evan Weaver
Simmons and Collins will get most of the snaps at inside linebacker while Turner, Vallejo and Weaver will have significant roles on special teams, as well. Another linebacker could join this group in camp.
CORNERBACK (6): Malcolm Butler, Byron Murphy Jr., Robert Alford, Darqueze Dennard, Marco Wilson, Tay Gowan
Butler gives the Cardinals a veteran presence with the loss of Patrick Peterson. Alford is coming off two straight season-ending injuries. Wilson has impressed during the offseason. Gowan could be a practice squad player or someone who's inactive if he needs more time to develop.
SAFETY (5): Budda Baker, Chris Banjo, Deionte Thompson, Charles Washington, Jalen Thompson
This unit is largely unchanged from last season. Another may be added by the end of camp but these safeties have, for the most part, been good for Joseph.
SPECIALIST (3): K Matt Prater, P Andy Lee, LS Aaron Brewer
A veteran group -- Lee turns 39 in August and Prater turns 37 one day before him, while Brewer is 31 -- but one that should be as reliable as the Cardinals have had in recent memory.