PFF Grades Five Best Cardinals in Preseason Opener

The Arizona Cardinals played a ton of players on Friday night - here's who PFF graded as the five best after one week of action.

In an exciting preseason opener, the Arizona Cardinals were victorious in a thrilling 18-17 win over the Denver Broncos. 

While Denver played their starters for most of the first half, the Cardinals withheld some key names at State Farm Stadium. 

Inactives: Jeff Driskel, Kyzir White, BJ Ojulari, Trey McBride, D.J. Humphries, James Conner, Keaontay Ingram, Budda Baker, Marquise Brown, Myjai Sanders. 

Over the course of 60 minutes, we saw a handful of players elevate their status on the team. 

Here's who Pro Football Focus graded as the five best players from Arizona's week one win:

1. Dennis Gardeck

PFF Grade: 95.5
Rush defense grade: 61.3
Tackling: 70.5
Pass rush grade: 94.2

Gardeck has been taking reps with the starting unit opposite of Zaven Collins. Despite talented pass rushers such as Cameron Thomas, BJ Ojulari and Myjai Sanders among others fighting for time, Gardeck impressed with just seven snaps on Friday night, amassing one tackle, one sack and one forced fumble. 

2. Hayden Howerton

PFF Grade: 93.4
Pass blocking grade: 85.2
Run blocking grade: 91.9

You've probably never heard of Hayden Howerton until now, and though his chances of making the roster are slim, his 21 snaps on Friday were played well enough to earn a spot on this list. Should he continue to impress in the world of analytics, perhaps the Cardinals could reconsider their OL depth with a possible practice squad spot coming his way. 

3. Antonio Hamilton

PFF Grade: 90.2 
Run defense grade: 66.3
Tackling grade: 76.6 
Coverage grade: 90.3

Antonio Hamilton was listed on the team's official depth chart as the starter opposite of Marco Wilson, though Kei'Trel Clark and Christian Matthew have been rotating at that spot. 

However, Hamilton was able to leave his mark against Denver with an interception that involved a nice undercut on an out route. He also had three tackles on 35 reps. 

4. Kei'Trel Clark

PFF Grade: 89.8
Run Defense Grade: 61.5 
Tackling Grade: 78.1
Coverage Grade: 90

Kei'Trel Clark was perhaps the most impressive corner the Cardinals trotted out on Friday despite making his first ever appearance in an NFL game. 

Most notably, Clark's night was remembered for a great diving PBU but his run support should also be commended. 

5. Ty'Son Williams

PFF Grade: 87.2
Pass Grade: 56.4
Pass-Blocking Grade: 77
Rushing Grade: 89.8
Run-Blocking Grade: 60

Though he didn't score, Williams paced the Cardinals in rushing yards with 51 yards on ten attempts and looked the best out of the three running backs that played. 

In a competition that's wide open for the No. 2 job behind James Conner, Williams put a nice step forward on Friday.