Five Cardinals to Watch vs Chiefs

The Arizona Cardinals will likely introduce some of their starters to preseason action tonight. Here's who to watch as action gets underway.

When the Arizona Cardinals play host to the Kansas City Chiefs later today, there will be a handful of players to watch as action unfolds. 

WR Michael Wilson

Michael Wilson has emerged into a true contender to become a starter in Arizona during his rookie campaign. 

After falling in the draft due to injury concerns (and lack of production because of that), Wilson has impressed every step of the way from rookie minicamp to last week's preseason debut. 

At 6-2, Wilson is one of the bigger bodies in Arizona's WR corps. He's also managed to consistently get himself open regardless of what quarterback/offense he's played with.

Can the rookie keep ascending? Another strong outing could see him begin to solidify himself as a starting receiver in the desert. 

C Hjalte Froholdt

Arizona's center position was one of their biggest question marks entering 2023, though Hjalte Froholdt has put most of those concerns to rest.

Froholdt wasn't a notable signing by any stretch, as his inexperience at center on top of not exactly impressing during his time in Cleveland didn't give fans comfort that the Cardinals secured their starting center.

Yet that was earlier in the offseason. After watching him establish his physicality in training camp and the team's preseason opener last week, fans are now excited about Froholdt leading the offensive line for the upcoming season.

Froholdt made a handful of highlight plays as a lineman, pancaking defenders and easily handling some of Denver's best pass-rushers.

The starting center job is all but locked up - but for entertainment value, Froholdt's physical style of play can't be beat. 

QB Colt McCoy

At this point, it would take quite the flip of the script from Clayton Tune to see Colt McCoy out of a starting job, though anything is possible.

Yet QB1 duties until Kyler Murray returns clearly belongs to McCoy, who completed all four of his passes last week before being yanked after one drive.

The Chiefs will be bringing their starters out for nearly the entire first half according to coach Andy Reid, which could entice Jonathan Gannon to get an extended look at his guys with only one preseason game left after today. 

If nothing else, getting a look at McCoy running Arizona's new offense against the defending Super Bowl champs will be a nice litmus test for where everything is at here in AZ.

LB Kyzir White

With Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins exiting the off-ball linebacker spots, Kyzir White immediately filled one of two starting slots after he signed from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason.

Previously working with head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, White had his best season to date last season in a Philly defense that nearly won the Super Bowl. 

There's hope White can continue to have success in a similar system here in Arizona, and after sitting out last week's contest vs. Denver, White could potentially see his first taste of action tonight. 

Will he still be the same sideline-to-sideline ILB he was previously? How will he function with Krys Barnes and Josh Woods fighting for time next time?

Like 50 Cent, we've got about 21 questions for the Cardinals. White is one of them. 

CB Kei'Trel Clark

Nobody batted an eye when the Cardinals took Kei'Trel Clark as a Day 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Now, he might just be one of their starting corners.

The ascension of Clark has been both notable and fun to watch. He comes to each practice and media availability with energy and plays with it, too.

First projecting as a slot corner due to his size and special teams contributor due to his inexperience, Clark has played well enough to warrant starting reps with Christian Matthew as the two battle for rights to play opposite of Marco Wilson.

Last week, Clark put himself on the map with a diving PBU and a solid tackle after another receiver reeled in a pass. 

Against one of the best offenses in the league, Clark will certainly be tested. We'll see how he fares.