The first (preseason) game of the year arrives Saturday. So Monday, of course, it means there is the first depth chart of the year. You know the one, filled with 90 or so names, with it stretching all the way to the fifth- or sixth-string.
It also comes with all the normal caveats: It’s preseason, a lot can change. It is “unofficial,” built in large part in the “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” aspect of this time of year (The NFL mandates a depth chart; most front offices and coaches would prefer not to have that stuff public if at all possible.)
It still can make more sense to watch how the special teams are set up in preseason games to get the best idea of what reserves are trending in a good way to make the 53-man roster.
The first thing you notice is that there are 12 defensive positions listed. That allows Will Johnson, Max Melton and Garrett Williams all to be first-string cornerbacks, but also slides in two inside linebackers with Mack Wilson Sr. and Akeem Davis-Gaither.
I feel confident Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis know only 11 can be on the field at a time, but if they can manage to use 12 I am even more confident in this defense making a jump.
Otherwise, all the starters are what you expect, including the defensive line of Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson and Darius Robinson.
Behind the starters, Jordan Burch is listed ahead of Xavier Thomas at OLB, Owen Pappoe ahead of Mykal Walker at ILB, and Denzel Burke, Kei’Trel Clark and Jaylon Jones as the three “second-string” cornerbacks.
The backup guards are Royce Newman and Nick Leverett for now. (In case you missed it, the Cardinals put rookie offensive lineman Valentin Senn on IR, which is why he isn’t on this depth chart. I know you were wondering. Senn was an international player, so I would expect the Cardinals to sign another at some point to take advantage of the international roster exemption.)
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