The Arizona Cardinals open the 2021 NFL regular season at the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 12 at Nissan Stadium. The Cardinals finished 8-8 last season, good for third place in the NFC West.
The Cardinals have a roster that's built to win right now with a mix of young and elite talent (i.e. DeAndre Hopkins) and veteran experience. However, age, injury and COVID-19 could change that in a heartbeat. As could trades.
If the season doesn't go as expected, it wouldn't be surprising to see Chandler Jones and Jordan Hicks moved by the trade deadline.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Kyler Murray, Chris Streveler, Colt McCoy
Nothing changes here. The only question becomes whether Streveler or McCoy will be the No. 2. Kingsbury surprised many last year by making Streveler the backup. Will that continue? Or will McCoy take the job? We shall see.
RUNNING BACK (3): Chase Edmonds, James Conner, Eno Benjamin
Benjamin has made an impression on the coaching staff with his growth and development, as well as his special teams play.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, Christian Kirk, Antoine Wesley, KeeSean Johnson
It's looking more and more like 2019 second-round pick Andy Isabella doesn't make the roster, especially with Moore flourishing and Kirk being steady. Wesley took advantage of so many other receivers missing time because of the COVID-19 protocols or injury to showcase his skill.
TIGHT END (3): Maxx Williams, Darrell Daniels, Ross Travis
Travis had a very consistent camp, showing off his ability in the passing game. He might not get a lot of run but he'll be a very good third option.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, Rodney Hudson, Justin Murray, Kelvin Beachum, Michal Menet, Brian Winters, Josh Miles, Josh Jones, Max Garcia
Jones had indispensable reps during camp with Winters and Murray out because of injuries, but otherwise this is as consistent of a line the Cards have had in a while.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): J.J. Watt, Zach Allen, Jordan Phillips, Corey Peters, Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence, Michael Dogbe
Phillips has been dealing with injuries and being on the COVID-19 protocol list, which could lead to some early playing time for Fotu, Lawrence and Dogbe as he and Corey Peters get their legs under them.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Markus Golden, Dennis Gardeck
Will Jones be on the roster in Week 1? That's still a question that needs to be answered but Arizona will have as good of a pass rush as anyone this season if he is.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins, Jordan Hicks, Zeke Turner
Hicks wasn't in my initial roster projection because of all the uncertainty surrounding his future before camp, but he's shown his value throughout training camp, and he's part of a package that'll have him, Simmons and Collins all on the field at the same time. So, he'll get playing time. It's a matter of how much.
CORNERBACK (5): Malcolm Butler, Byron Murphy Jr., Robert Alford, Marco Wilson, Tay Gowan
Wilson has shined during camp and Gowan has started to come into his own. With Simmons able to cover, Arizona can carry one less corner this season.
SAFETY (5): Budda Baker, Chris Banjo, Deionte Thompson, Charles Washington, Jalen Thompson
Another one of the Cardinals' most steady groups. The experience in the safeties room will be valuable for the defense all season.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Matt Prater, P Andy Lee, LS Aaron Brewer
Prater has looked great in training camp, a much-needed sight for a team that lost too many games last season because of a kicker.