Roster Questions Heading into Week 1 Preseason

[Chopper0080]

Having done some quick roster calculations, there are a couple interesting situations/battles/thoughts to look at over the upcoming weeks.

1 - Cardinals probably only keeping two QBs on the final 53. Tune likely out.
2 - Who is the 5th WR after MHJ, Wilson, Jones and Dortch? They probably will only carry 5.
3 - Is this the year Vokolek is left off the 53? It seems obvious at first, but the team uses so many multi TE sets, you never know.
4 - 9 or 10 OL. 8 are set. 1 or 2 are up for grabs.
5 - More than 7 DL? CC, DRob, Tomlinson, Jones, Stills, Nolen and Collier make 7. Nichols AND Simmons left off?
6 - 5 EDGE? XThomas or Ojulari make 5. Ojulari has to be on the final 53 unless he doesn't participate in TC and then would miss the first 4 weeks of the season.
7 - Does Collins reps/flexibility lead to only 3 at ILB? Wilson, ADG and Simon? Pappoe and Walker?
8 - 5 or 6 CBs? Is one of Burke, Clark or E Jones not making it?

EDIT for Will Hern signing.

EDIT for being dumb and not knowing PUP rules.

 

[Shane]

#2 Weaver

#8 I’m gonna say Clark is gone

Just my predictions

 

[Garthshort]

Not that I'm an expert, but I love these kind of questions, so I'll go with:
1. Agree.
2. No nothing about him, but my guess is either Fehoko or Weaver.
3. I'll go with Vokolek being cut.
4. I'm guessing nine. Starters plus Beachum, WH, Gaines and Jones.
5. Going with six, with Nolen starting on the PUP. Collier I think is safe and Stills will probably go when Nolen is healthy.
6. Five. Why can't Ojulari start on the PUP and come off when healthy? Don't understand.
7. Guessing four, and going with Pappoe and his speed.
8. Burke makes it and possibly both Clark and Jones are cut, as Hall, listed as a safety can also play corner. Might come down to how they feel about Crawford.
9. I'll add a bottom line question. 25 offense, 25 defense, or a 26/24 breakdown?

Chopper, thanks for asking. My guess for the guy I'm rooting to make the 'final' cut, but pretty sure he probably won't is Elijah Simmons.

 

[schutd]

Having done some quick roster calculations, there are a couple interesting situations/battles/thoughts to look at over the upcoming weeks.

1 - Cardinals probably only keeping two QBs on the final 53. Tune likely out.
2 - Who is the 5th WR after MHJ, Wilson, Jones and Dortch? They probably will only carry 5.
3 - Is this the year Vokolek is left off the 53? It seems obvious at first, but the team uses so many multi TE sets, you never know.
4 - 9 or 10 OL. 7 are set. 2 or 3 are up for grabs.
5 - More than 7 DL? CC, DRob, Tomlinson, Jones, Stills, Nolen and Collier make 7. Nichols AND Simmons left off?
6 - 5 EDGE? XThomas or Ojulari make 5. Ojulari has to be on the final 53 even if not healthy to play in 2025.
7 - Does Collins reps/flexibility lead to only 3 at ILB? Wilson, ADG and Simon? Pappoe and Walker?
8 - 5 or 6 CBs? Is one of Burke, Clark or E Jones not making it?

No reason for this feeling, but if Ojulari can't go, my guts tell me they cut bait. Which would be a big bummer. We've never really had a chance to see his true capabilities. Conversely, maybe riding pine is his true capability. If a year out from ACL surgery, you cant even get on the practice field? Something seems weird about that to me.

But again, I don't know really know squat. Just a casual fan.

 

[Totally_Red]

Hoping against hope we can get at least a conditional 7th for Ojulari.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

No reason for this feeling, but if Ojulari can't go, my guts tell me they cut bait. Which would be a big bummer. We've never really had a chance to see his true capabilities. Conversely, maybe riding pine is his true capability. If a year out from ACL surgery, you cant even get on the practice field? Something seems weird about that to me.

But again, I don't know really know squat. Just a casual fan.

Bidwill was calling him a "dominant player" this spring. Incredible.

 

[Shane]

Bidwill was calling him a "dominant player" this spring. Incredible.

Content

 

[schutd]

Bidwill was calling him a "dominant player" this spring. Incredible.

All Aboard.... THE HYPE TRAIN.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Content

I'm not!

 

[BACH]

Bidwill was calling him a "dominant player" this spring. Incredible.

Of course he did. What do you expect?
The owner undermining his coaching staff by criticizing specific players?

He told the company line, which is what an owner should.

On the topic. He’ll go on PUP and no way he’ll be traded.
You can stash him there until he’s ready.
You will not save anything cap wise by cutting him in his 3rd year of a rookie deal.
His trade value is at a low point right now.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Of course he did. What do you expect?
The owner undermining his coaching staff by criticizing specific players?

He told the company line, which is what an owner should.

On the topic. He’ll go on PUP and no way he’ll be traded.
You can stash him there until he’s ready.
You will not save anything cap wise by cutting him in his 3rd year of a rookie deal.
His trade value is at a low point right now.

Calling a nobody like BJ "dominant" is a great way to lose all credibility. There is a whole world of responses that would have been perfectly appropriate.

Nobody suggested criticism - nice straw man though, you really knocked it down!

 

[BACH]

Having done some quick roster calculations, there are a couple interesting situations/battles/thoughts to look at over the upcoming weeks.

1 - Cardinals probably only keeping two QBs on the final 53. Tune likely out.
2 - Who is the 5th WR after MHJ, Wilson, Jones and Dortch? They probably will only carry 5.
3 - Is this the year Vokolek is left off the 53? It seems obvious at first, but the team uses so many multi TE sets, you never know.
4 - 9 or 10 OL. 7 are set. 2 or 3 are up for grabs.
5 - More than 7 DL? CC, DRob, Tomlinson, Jones, Stills, Nolen and Collier make 7. Nichols AND Simmons left off?
6 - 5 EDGE? XThomas or Ojulari make 5. Ojulari has to be on the final 53 even if not healthy to play in 2025.
7 - Does Collins reps/flexibility lead to only 3 at ILB? Wilson, ADG and Simon? Pappoe and Walker?
8 - 5 or 6 CBs? Is one of Burke, Clark or E Jones not making it?

Just a general comment. New rules of the Practice Squad.
- Teams can have 6 veteran players on the practice squad now.
- Teams are allowed to elevate 2 players from the PS to playing each week without moving them to the active roster.
- teams can only elevate a PS player and send them back to the PS for a total of 3 games. Any more and they have to go to the active roster.

1 - agree
2 - agree on 5. Weaver if no one is added.
3 - Hard. Talent wise I would say he’s off. Because of the scheme yes.
4 - Talentwise only 9. Quality at back-up OL is an issue. I would say only 6 locks at this point. I hope Hernandez is signed. That would make it 7 locks. Christian Jones is probably #8.
5 - 7. Nicols is gone. Jones vs. Simmons’ upside is the question. Is Simmons a candidate for a player suddenly getting a low key injury that keeps lingering keeping him on IR? He’s not a need on the 53 but his future upside might make it too risky to cut him.
6 - Ojulari to PUP.
7 - Collins and reportedly Browning’s flexibility makes this 3, but that is still seems very risky. Pappoe has been sharing reps with the 1st team and is clearly ahead of Walker.
8 - Clark to the PS

I’m interested in S. 4 or 5? The 2 ST aces are both back-up safeties. Do they keep both Crawford and Blount or only one of them? Blount could probably go on the PS.

 

[BACH]

Calling a nobody like BJ "dominant" is a great way to lose all credibility. There is a whole world of responses that would have been perfectly appropriate.

Nobody suggested criticism - nice straw man though, you really knocked it down!

I hope Bidwill is more interested in showing support to his employees than the opinion of a random fan on how he rates his employees.

Wasn’t trying to use a strawman.
It’s just the company line which any CEO would use. If Bidwill is asked I 100% expect a “ This guy is fantastic/dominant/awesome/whatever” no matter the reality of it.

 

[Chopper0080]

Not that I'm an expert, but I love these kind of questions, so I'll go with:
1. Agree.
2. No nothing about him, but my guess is either Fehoko or Weaver.
3. I'll go with Vokolek being cut.
4. I'm guessing nine. Starters plus Beachum, WH, Gaines and Jones.
5. Going with six, with Nolen starting on the PUP. Collier I think is safe and Stills will probably go when Nolen is healthy.
6. Five. Why can't Ojulari start on the PUP and come off when healthy? Don't understand.
7. Guessing four, and going with Pappoe and his speed.
8. Burke makes it and possibly both Clark and Jones are cut, as Hall, listed as a safety can also play corner. Might come down to how they feel about Crawford.
9. I'll add a bottom line question. 25 offense, 25 defense, or a 26/24 breakdown?

Chopper, thanks for asking. My guess for the guy I'm rooting to make the 'final' cut, but pretty sure he probably won't is Elijah Simmons.

NFL rules state that if a player is on the PUP list when final rosters are to be set, they are out for the year. What a lot of teams will do is have that player on the final 53 and once the deadlines passes they will designate them to IR with a date to return.

This is important to the Cardinals because of BJ Ojulari, Walter Nolen, and Bilal Nichols. If the Cardinals want those players to be able to play in 2025, they would need them to be on the final 53 which means they would put another player at risk.

EDIT: I was wrong. Only if they are added to the PUP after training camp begins are players required to be on the final 53.

 

[Chopper0080]

Just a general comment. New rules of the Practice Squad.
- Teams can have 6 veteran players on the practice squad now.
- Teams are allowed to elevate 2 players from the PS to playing each week without moving them to the active roster.
- teams can only elevate a PS player and send them back to the PS for a total of 3 games. Any more and they have to go to the active roster.

1 - agree
2 - agree on 5. Weaver if no one is added.
3 - Hard. Talent wise I would say he’s off. Because of the scheme yes.
4 - Talentwise only 9. Quality at back-up OL is an issue. I would say only 6 locks at this point. I hope Hernandez is signed. That would make it 7 locks. Christian Jones is probably #8.
5 - 7. Nicols is gone. Jones vs. Simmons’ upside is the question. Is Simmons a candidate for a player suddenly getting a low key injury that keeps lingering keeping him on IR? He’s not a need on the 53 but his future upside might make it too risky to cut him.
6 - Ojulari to PUP.
7 - Collins and reportedly Browning’s flexibility makes this 3, but that is still seems very risky. Pappoe has been sharing reps with the 1st team and is clearly ahead of Walker.
8 - Clark to the PS

I’m interested in S. 4 or 5? The 2 ST aces are both back-up safeties. Do they keep both Crawford and Blount or only one of them? Blount could probably go on the PS.

Something to consider about the offensive line, Beachum, Williams, Hernandez and Brown (essentially on a 1 year deal) are on one year deals. A lot of potential turnover at a key spot if they are trying to move their draft picks and UDFA signings to the PS.

I feel like they gave Blount a nice deal this offseason because they really value him. Maybe Crawford is able to usurp his ST role but I think it might be a year early.

 

[BACH]

Something to consider about the offensive line, Beachum, Williams, Hernandez and Brown (essentially on a 1 year deal) are on one year deals. A lot of potential turnover at a key spot if they are trying to move their draft picks and UDFA signings to the PS.

I feel like they gave Blount a nice deal this offseason because they really value him. Maybe Crawford is able to usurp his ST role but I think it might be a year early.

Brown signed a 2 year deal that is fairly even over the two years (1M base difference), so I do not see it as a 1 year deal, but I do agree with your point.

This is the reason why Jones is my #8. He has to take over for Beachum at swing and potentally compete for RT next season.

 

[kerouac9]

NFL rules state that if a player is on the PUP list when final rosters are to be set, they are out for the year. What a lot of teams will do is have that player on the final 53 and once the deadlines passes they will designate them to IR with a date to return.

This is important to the Cardinals because of BJ Ojulari, Walter Nolen, and Bilal Nichols. If the Cardinals want those players to be able to play in 2025, they would need them to be on the final 53 which means they would put another player at risk.

Wait I thought they could hang on PUP for like 5-8 weeks then they can either come off or have to go to IR.

Source: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/...explaining-the-meaning-difference-between-ir/

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Wait I thought they could hang on PUP for like 5-8 weeks then they can either come off or have to go to IR.

Source: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/...explaining-the-meaning-difference-between-ir/

This is my understanding as well.

 

[Chopper0080]

Wait I thought they could hang on PUP for like 5-8 weeks then they can either come off or have to go to IR.

Source: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/...explaining-the-meaning-difference-between-ir/

I am wrong. Sorry @schutd, I failed you. Yes, if Nichols, Nolen, and Ojulari stay on PUP throughout TC, they do not have to be added to the 53 until week 5 of the regular season.

Thanks @kerouac9 for the assist.

 

[oaken1]

I thought Volkolec was already released??

Weaver is the final WR...rumor has it he is actually challenging Zay Jones for the 3 spot...Dortch playing ST might be the only snaps he gets this year.

I think the extra talent at DB allow us to only carry 3 ilb's... running a safety at "monster" where he can drop for pass or crash for the run.

I'm glad big Will is back. But we need to temper expectations...he is gonna be slow out the gate.

 

[kerouac9]

It’s worth remembering that there’s probably nothing special about guys like Kei’trel Clark or Elijah Simmons or Owen Pappoe. They’re updates of Cap Capi, and every team has some version of these guys.

They’ll likely all head to the practice squad.

 

[CardNots]

I'm glad big Will is back. But we need to temper expectations...he is gonna be slow out the gate.

Is Will a pup status candidate for the open the season opener?

Seems like we would get a good look at Adams and have Hernandez ready to go game 5.

 

[Chopper0080]

It’s worth remembering that there’s probably nothing special about guys like Kei’trel Clark or Elijah Simmons or Owen Pappoe. They’re updates of Cap Capi, and every team has some version of these guys.

They’ll likely all head to the practice squad.

You are terrible for #content season

This is the time for big dreams, small sample size theatre, underdogs, rose colored glasses, and hope. Putting players like Clark, Simmons, and Pappoe on the PS is like putting Ronde Barber, Snacks Harrison, and Derrick Brooks on the PS. You can't just expose future franchise altering players to be snatched up by every other team in the league. You crazy, man.

 

[CardNots]

1 - Cardinals probably only keeping two QBs on the final 53. Tune likely out.

Off note, I haven’t heard much about either backup QB’s play during the preseason camp.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

It’s worth remembering that there’s probably nothing special about guys like Kei’trel Clark or Elijah Simmons or Owen Pappoe. They’re updates of Cap Capi, and every team has some version of these guys.

They’ll likely all head to the practice squad.

Please don't talk about Cap that way. He will always have a place on my 53 man roster!