GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals open the 2023 NFL regular season at the Washington Commanders on Sept. 10 at FedEx Field.
One of the themes of the Cardinals' offseason was roster turnover. They signed 13 new free agents and lost nine. This season's roster has some of the same bones as last season's, especially at key positions, but there are quite a few new faces, some of whom are expected to play significant roles, like Hjalte Froholdt at center or Zach Pascal at reciever or Kyzir White at linebacker.
The rookies whom new general manager Monti Ossenfort drafted all fit specific needs and holes for this season's team. Cornerback Garrett Williams could start the season on injured reserve or PUP as he continues to rehab his ACL, even though he believes he can be ready by July.
Here is the 53-man projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Kyler Murray, Colt McCoy, Clayton Tune
Whenever he's back, Murray will reassume the QB1 role, but until then, McCoy is the likely starter. Tune impressed during OTAs and minicamp, showing off his arm and an ability to pick up the scheme quickly. If he can manage the grind of training camp and continue performing like he did during the summer, he'll make his first NFL roster as a fifth-round rookie. Murray could start the season on IR depending on his rehab, in which case David Blough or Jeff Driskel would likely be the third quarterback.
RUNNING BACK (3): James Conner, Keaontay Ingram, Corey Clement
Conner will be the primary back for an offense that's expected to emphasize the run. And he's ready to welcome the workload with open arms. Ingram has stood out to his fellow backs during the summer and will see more of a role in 2023 with the Cardinals using more two-back sets than Ingram was exposed to as a rookie last season. Clement will continue to be the veteran backup needed in spot situations.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Zach Pascal, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Andre Baccellia
There will be lots of speed but not a lot of size in this receiver room as is. Brown is expected to replace DeAndre Hopkins as WR1 and Moore could have more of a vertical role this season. Pascal is a favorite of new coach Jonathan Gannon after the two spent time together in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. Wilson was one of the standouts during the offseason and Dortch will likely be in place to be the Cardinals' main returner. Baccellia's gets a spot in the wide receivers room that could be turned over a bit during camp or beyond.
TIGHT END (3): Zach Ertz, Trey McBride, Chris Pierce
The tight ends will have a more active role in the offense this season under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Ertz is close to coming back from an ACL injury and McBride drew rave reviews this offseason from McCoy. Pierce has impressed, but that's another spot that could be turned over.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): D.J. Humphries, Will Hernandez, Hjalte Froholdt, Paris Johnson Jr., Josh Jones, Jon Gaines II, Kelvin Beachum, Marquis Hayes, Dennis Daley, Lachavious Simmons
Who will be on the Cardinals' starting offensive line? It's anyone's guess at this point. That's a bit extreme, but Gannon said throughout the offseason that he won't name a starting five until the first day of the first week. Froholdt is expected to be the starting center and Johnson, the rookie first-round pick, could see time as a starter too. Arizona has depth on the line that it missed last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Kevin Strong, Jonathan Ledbetter, Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence, Dante Stills, Carlos Watkins, L.J. Collier, Eric Banks
Not a lot of old faces on this season's defensive line, but the additions are sizeable as the Cardinals transition to a new scheme. Ledbetter has continued to play at the level he did last offseason, when he continually impressed. Stills, the rookie sixth-round pick, looked like a veteran during OTAs and minicamp, both in skill and body size. Arizona added a mix of youth and experience this offseason.
LINEBACKER (9): Zaven Collins, Kyzir White, Cameron Thomas, Myjai Sanders, BJ Ojulari, Victor Dimukeje, Dennis Gardeck, Josh Woods, Owen Pappoe
The outside linebackers -- Collins, Thomas, Sanders, Ojulari, Dimukeje and Gardeck -- will be one of the most competitive rooms in the Cardinals' building and may be the one that's taken the biggest jump. Arizona needed to improve its pass rush and it did that by moving Collins to outside linebacker. Adding White in free agency gives Arizona a veteran presence as well as someone who knows what Gannon is thinking, since White played for him last season in Philadelphia.
CORNERBACK (4): Marco Wilson, Christian Matthew, Antonio Hamilton, Kei'Trel Clark
This will be one of the positions to watch this season. Wilson and Matthew have continually been getting more reps, and Hamilton is a veteran who can start Week 1. Clark raised eyebrows during OTAs and minicamp as well. However, this is also a position that could see a player or two added during camp.
SAFETY (4): Isaiah Simmons, Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Jovante Moffatt
The biggest difference in the safeties is the addition of Simmons, who declared during minicamp that he was part of the defensive backs now. He'll be used as a safety and nickel, giving the Cardinals size and athleticism to roam the secondary next to Baker and Thompson.
SPECIALISTS (3): Matt Prater, Aaron Brewer, Matt Haack
Prater and Brewer return for another season but Haack would the first change to the specialists group since 2020.