| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(29) | Robert Nkemdiche | DT | Ole Miss |
| 3(29) | Brandon Williams | CB | Texas A&M |
| 4(30) | Evan Boehm | OG | Missouri |
| 5(28) | Marqui Christian | S | Midwestern State |
| 5(31) | Cole Toner | OT | Harvard |
| 6(30) | Harlan Miller | CB | Southeastern Louisiana |
2016 Outlook
Coaching Staff
HC: Bruce Arians
OC: Harold Goodwin
DC: James Bettcher
ST: Amos Jones
Projected Depth Chart
Offense
QB. Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton
RB. David Johnson, Chris Johnson
WR. Larry Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown
WR. Michael Floyd, JJ Nelson
WR. John Brown
TE. Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas
TE. Darren Fells, Ifeanyi Mamah
LT. Jared Veldheer, John Wetzel
LG. Mike Iupati, Antoine McClain
C. AQ Shipley, Earl Watford
RG. Evan Mathis, Taylor Boggs
RT. DJ Humphries, Rob Crisp
Defense
DE. Calais Campbell, Ed Stinson,
NT. Corey Peters, Xavier Williams
DE. Rodney Gunter, Robert Nkemdiche
OLB. Chandler Jones, Alex Okafor
MLB. Deone Bucannon, Chris Clemons
MLB. Kevin Minter, Alani Fua
OLB. Markus Golden, Kareem Martin
CB. Patrick Peterson, Brandon Williams
SS. D.J. Swearinger, Tyvon Branch
FS. Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson
CB. Justin Behtel, Allen Ball
NB. Tyrann Mathieu, Tyvon Branch
Special Teams
K. Chandler Catanzaro
P. Drew Butler
Breakdown
Offense:
Offensively, the Cards not only retained all their key contributors from a year ago, but perhaps got better by signing the best run blocking guard in the NFL in Evan Mathis. He’ll help round out what looks to be 1 of the most talented O-lines in the league. Most notably the left side, which features the humongous Jared Veldheer at LT and the massive run blocking extraordinaire Mike Iupati at LG. AQ Shipley at center and DJ Humphries at RT are both solid and fill out the rest of the group. Arizona is absolutely loaded at their skill positions. Larry Fitzgerald had a resurgent year, but at his age there is always the possibility that he might start to slow down. Even if he does, the Cardinals still have plenty of other weapons to compensate. John Brown is 1 of the best young receivers in the NFL and Michael Floyd is also really reliable. At running back, David Johnson and Chris Johnson make up 1 of the most talented backfields in the league. Many are projecting David Johnson to be a fantasy superstar this year based off the strength of his play last year. With plenty of weapons and a good offensive line, everything is in place for Carson Palmer to have another MVP-caliber year.
Defense:
Defensively, the Cardinals are 1 of the deepest teams in the league. Up front the defensive line has a ton of options that start with long-tenured Cardinals great Calais Campbell at defensive end. Corey Peters, another veteran, looks to man the nose tackle position. The Cards have a ton of other options to start at the other end spot with 2015 4th-round pick Rodney Gunter currently leading the pack. However, Ed Stinson, Frostee Rucker, and rookie Robert Nkemdiche all could see significant snaps for the Cards in 2016. The linebacking group is probably the weakest of all the position groups on this defense and even that position has talent. The newly-acquired Chandler Jones looks to add a much needed pass rush threat to this defense, which could make them even better. Their 2015 2nd-round pick Markus Golden will start on the other edge and looks to build on some good things he did as a rookie. In the middle the Cardinals have a duo of talent young players in Bucannon and Minter, who combined for over 200 total tackles a year ago. Even with the loses of Powers and Johnson, the Cards’ secondary is still loaded. At corner, Patrick Peterson is the unquestioned number 1 guy and I expect him to continue his elite play. The other outside corner spot is still an uncertainty. Brandon Williams, their 3rd-round pick in this year’s draft, is currently listed as the starter, but that also has a lot to do with Justin Bethel being on the PUP list at the moment. Tyrann Mathieu figures to continue his role as a hybrid safety/corner and free agent acquisition Tyvon Branch could also split time between safety and corner. But in base packages, Mathieu will start at FS. And next to him at the other safety spot, DJ Swearinger is currently listed as the starter, though Tyvon Branch could still end up with that job. Tony Jefferson figures to take over at FS in their sub packages when Mathieu moves down to play corner. Overall, everything is in place for this defense to carry their share of the weight and help this team reach the Super Bowl.
