This Wednesday on the Red Rain Podcast, I am planning to unveil my “Early 53 Man Roster Favorites” —- and I can already tell you, this is a very challenging assignment.
Monti Ossenfort and Dave Sears have done an impressive job of fortifying an amalgamation of depth at every position, so much so that after they drafted 12 rookies, the Cardinals’ GMs could only afford to add 3 college priority free agents —- which puts the current roster at the NFL limit of 90.
Have a gander at the Cardinals current depth chart, courtesy of Ourlads:
2024 Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart | Ourlads.com
ROTB Assignment:
Go through the depth chart and pick a player whom you consider to be a sleeper at each position group (QB, RB, TE, WR, T, G, C, DT, DE, OLB, ILB, CB and S) whom you believe could make a strong case to make the Cardinals’ 53 Man Roster —- just as I am about to do.
My Sleepers:
- QB —- Clayton Tune (pictured above)
I believe that Clayton Tune will put up a valiant battle to win the QB2 job. Despite his struggles in his one start against the Browns in CLE (which was understandable given the circumstances), there are over 4,000 reasons why Clayton Tune was Mel Kiper’s “sleeper Day 3 QB” of the 2023 NFL Draft. He performed very well in his niche role in the “Tush Push” in place of Kyler Murray on short yardage situations. He’s tough-minded, strong-armed and highly motivated.
Some will argue that the Cardinals won’t be able to afford to keep 3 QBs on the 53-man roster. However, I am 100% convinced that if the Cardinals waive him, he will be claimed immediately, quite possibly by the Texans. Not only would that force the Cardinals to claim or sign a QB who would have to learn the offense from scratch, the Cardinals would also be losing a scout team QB who won the Pat Tillman scout team award for how well he helped the defense prepare for their opponents, playing the likes of Matt Stafford, Brock Purdy and Geno Smith. There is too much already invested in Tune to run the risk of losing him.
Clayton Tune Full Preseason Highlights (2023) (youtube.com)
- RB —- Emari Demercado
When the Cardinals drafted trey Benson to become the RB2 and possible heir apparent to James Conner, the RB that should most affect is Michael Carter, not Emari Demercado. The main reason is that Emari is a stronger special teams’ player and he is the best RB on the roster at protecting the QB. His ability to take the romance out of the A gap blitz is a niche that should be given the highest priority. Plus, as a runner and receiver last season, Emari had 79 touches for 403 yards for 5.1 yards per touch and 2 TDs. The way he ran versus the Ravens and 49ers, it would be a surprise to see both team out a claim in for him, if the Cardinals waive him. I believe this young man is a special player and winner.
- TE —- Travis Vokolek
In the Cardinals employment of heavy 12 and 13 personnel, it could behoove them to keep 4 TEs on the 53-man roster. That 4th TE could very well be Travis Vokolek whom the Cardinals signed off of the ravens’ practice squad last year. Vokolek is a classic “Y” in-line TE, who is a physical blocker and rugged RAC receiver over the middle. In 13 personnel he could line up opposite Tip Reiman which would allow Trey McBride to flex and be used as the motion TE. Elijah Higgins is more of a flex receiving TE, thus it would be a good compliment to have Reiman and Vokolek as in-line blockers and release receivers.
- WR —- Jeff Smith
Wide Receiver Jeff Smith’s BEST Highlights | New York Giants (youtube.com)
The Cardinals need some depth behind Greg Dortch in the slot and Jeff Smith could emerge as slot WR2. As a Boston College grad, I have always been very high on Jeff Smith, who was a dual threat QB turned into a speedy, RAC WR. At 6’0” 191 with 4.36 speed, 35” vertical and a 6.87 3-cone, Smith offers good size and blazing speed from the slot.
- T —- Carter O’Donnell
All indications have been that the Cardinals’ OL coach Clayton Adams is very keen on Carter O’Donnell’s talent as a swing tackle. Plus, he has guard versatility. If O’Donnell shines at tackle during camp, there’s a chance that he can make a strong case for the 53-man roster.
- G —- Austen Pleasants
When you watch this tape of Austen Pleasants (#60) at Ohio University, he’s playing mostly right tackle. Watch his style of physical football. The dude is 6’6 1/2” and 310. His tape reminded me of Duke’s T Graham Barton whom most scouts believe will play guard or center in the NFL. It appears the Bucs, who drafted Barton with the 26th pick in the 1st round are planning to start Barton at center. Austen Pleasants has to find a way to distinguish himself among what is now a very crowded collection of guards. Yet, I could see him becoming the Hjalte Froholdt of the guard position —- the two of them side by side could be mountain movers.
- C —- Trystan Colon
Trystan Colon offers the Cardinals outstanding versatility in that he can play virtually any position on the OL. I thought he played hard and reasonably well when platooned at LG last season. However, I am convinced that TC is a starting caliber center in the NFL. I believe it is his most natural position. If the coaches agree, this would enable them to give Jon Gaines II a good long look at LG. But if the Cardinals need a C2 to fill in for Fro at any time this season, TC should be that player.
- DT —- Roy Lopez
In some of the early Cardinals roster predictions, it appears that Roy Lopez is being left out due to the free agent additions. That, in my opinion, would be a mistake. Lopez was one of the brightest lights on the injury-ridden unit last season. He collected 29 solo tackles, 13 assists, 24 stops and 15 QB pressures while earning the highest DI PFF grade on the team at 65.4. I believe his best football is ahead of him and that he should remain a vital cog in the DI rotation.
- DE —- Cameron Thomas
Marcos Labrada and I have been campaigning for the Cardinals to play Cameron Thomas at 34 DE and rush him from the inside (through gaps and loop stunts) on passing downs. There is no denying what a physical presence he brings to the front five. Hopefully he will be put in a position that maximized his strengths. He is dang good football player.
- OLB —- Tyreke Smith
The Cardinals quietly poached Tyreke Smith off of the Seahawks’ practice squad back in mid-December. This dude is 6’3”, 255 and, when healthy, he’s a force from the edge. Perhaps, Smith is one reason why the Cardinals have appeared to be fairly confident in the talent they have on the edges. Could easily imagine that fellow Buckeye, Paris Johnson Jr. is promoting the talents of his former teammate.
- ILB —- Owen Pappoe
I feel compelled to treat Owen Pappoe as a sleeper because it still mystifies me as to how and why the Cardinals coaches would start Josh Woods for 3⁄4 of the season with a superb talent like Owen Pappoe on the depth chart, When Pappoe finally got his chance, he turned some heads, particularly with his blazing speed to the football in chase mode and up the middle and sides on blitzes. Just as Roy Lopez earned the highest PFF grade of all the DI, Owen Pappoe earned the highest grade from the ILB position at 65.3. With the signing of UFA ILB Mack Wilson, it appears that Owen Pappoe’s role may be limited once again, But this young man is too talented to be under-utilized.
- CB —- Kei’Trel Clark
Kei’Trel Clark, like Roy Lopez and Owen Pappoe, should not be under-estimated as a key contributor and talent on this defense. I believe that Kei’Trel will be a man on a mission in year two. Not only does he have the talent and aggressiveness to be a persky cover CB, this baller steps up and hits. In 8 games he had more combined tackles (43) than any CB on the roster at the end of the season. His PFF grades in 8 games were almost identical to Garrett Williams’ in his 9 games. As rookies, they had their ups and downs —- but year 2 for both of them could be something very special.
- S —- Joey Blount
With regard to Joey Blount, what immediately jumps outs is how dynamic he is on special teams. His PFF STs grade was 90.0, the highest on the team. The dude is always around the football and that carried over to the secondary when he finally got a chance to contribute there to the tune of a 66.9 PFF grade. Blount plays a physical brand of football. As single high safety he can storm the alleys and he has the size (6’1” 201) range, speed (4.45), vertical jump (38”) and aggressiveness to be an effective centerfielder —-a spot where the Cardinals need to improve this season. Perhaps Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, aka “The Rabbit,” and Joey Blount are just what the defense needs on the back end.
These are my roster sleepers. Who are yours?
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