Evaluating Cardinals First Depth Chart of 2023
With training camp nearly complete and Friday's game against the Denver Broncos rapidly approaching, the Arizona Cardinals have released their first depth chart of the 2023 season.
Truth be told, there weren't many surprises. Yet after scanning through the list, a few interesting tidbits are worth mentioning:
Evaluating Cardinals First Depth Chart of 2023
Offense
We'll start with quarterback, where there's no surprises Kyler Murray leads the way with Colt McCoy behind him. McCoy is very much the frontrunner to hold down the fort until Murray returns with Clayton Tune behind him. David Blough and Jeff Driskel have been rotating time with the third team during camp.
At running back behind James Conner leads Keaontay Ingram, who just returned to practice yesterday and immediately slid into second team duties ahead of Corey Clement. The newly signed Marlon Mack should make his way into contention for RB2 duties this preseason, though.
The tight end depth has been fairly accurate based on what we've seen from training camp, though the room has seen Zach Ertz completely off the field while Trey McBride has been extremely limited due to injury. Geoff Swaim is a good bet to see most of the time with the starters until both tight ends ahead of him and are ready to go. Noah Togiai has had a nice training camp and could push for final roster spot, too.
Along the offensive line, no starters are shocking as most positions have been anchored down. Many expected Paris Johnson to slide into left guard duties but he's successfully unseated Kelvin Beachum at that right tackle spot. If there's anything to watch, it'd be the battle at left guard where Dennis Daley has seen intermittent time rotating with Elijah Wilkinson on the first team. Jon Gaines has played both backup center and guard thus far with the two's.
Marquise Brown officially settles himself into the WR1 role for Arizona with Zach Pascal opposite of him on the outside and Rondale Moore settling into slot duties with Greg Dortch behind him. Michael Wilson has gotten plenty of time with the starters and Dortch has worked across the board with the second team, not just in the slot.
Defense
It feels like the starting trio of L.J. Collier, Leki Fotu and Jonathan Ledbetter has been fairly cemented across Arizona's defensive line during camp, so nothing new to report there. Rashard Lawrence has slipped down the depth chart while names such as Carlos Watkins and Dante Stills could get opportunities to make their case for playing time when the regular season begins.
On the edge, Zaven Collins has anchored one side of the line while a combo of Dennis Gardeck and Cameron Thomas have split time opposite of him with the first team. It wouldn't at all be surprising to see Thomas ultimate become the starter, though Gardeck has earned first go on that spot. Jesse Luketa got some opportunity with the one's yesterday and BJ Ojulari finally returned to practice - we'll see if either can improve their standing on the depth chart.
On the inside, it's been mostly Josh Woods who has anchored interior duties with Kyzir White as opposed to Krys Barnes, so his omission from the starting duties was a bit surprising. Owen Pappoe has garnered praise from the coaching staff during camp but is still buried on the third team.
At outside corner, Marco Wilson has anchored one side of the defense while a mixture of Christian Matthew and Kei'Trel Clark have played the other. Antonio Hamilton - who has played a vast majority of snaps with the second team - is listed as the other starter. That could potentially change when Garrett Williams eventually gets healthy.
People will see Isaiah Simmons' name buried on the depth chart, though he's been with every single starting defense. The Cardinals are utilizing all three safeties with Simmons playing a single-high role while Budda Baker roams near the box and Jalen Thompson aligns in the slot.
