Arizona Cardinals release first depth chart: Mathieu, Jefferson starters at S, Gresham has to earn starting spot

The Arizona Cardinals released their first depth chart of the preseason. We get a look at who is ahead of whom, at least for now.

Here is how it looks:

Offense:

Quarterback: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Logan Thomas, Phillip Sims

Nothing surprising here at all. Thomas continues to stay ahead of Sims

Running back: Andre Ellington, Kerwynn Williams, Stepfan Taylor, Marion Grice, David Johnson, Robert Hughes, Paul Lasike

Again, nothing really surprising here. Johnson might be higher if he could play, but he is probably out for another week.

WR1: Larry Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden, Ryan Spadola, Trevor Harmon

WR2: Michael Floyd, John Brown, J.J. Nelson, Jaxon Shipley, Travis Harvey

Receiver depth charts are always a little funny. You can't quite tell who is actually No. 3 or 4. With Floyd out, it is Fitz and John Brown, but when the team goes to three receivers, it has been Nelson before Jaron Brown recently.

TE: Darren Fells, Troy Niklas, Garrett Sinclair

TE: Ifeanyi Momah, Jermaine Gresham, Gerald Christian

Fells has established himself as the top guy. Momah keeps turning heads. Gresham will have to win a starting job. Niklas has to get and stay healthy

LT: Jared Veldheer, Bradley Sowell, Rob Crisp

No surprise here.

LG: Mike Iupati, Ted Larsen, Antoine McClain, Nate Isles

Most notable is Larsen is no longer in the center rotation.

C: A.Q. Shipley, Lyle Sendlein, Anthony Steen

Steen is now the third team, while Sendlein remains as the number two. How long will that remain that way?

RG: Jonathan Cooper, Earl Watford, John Halapio

Just as expected.

RT: Bobby Massie, D.J. Humphries, Cameron Bradfield

No surprises here.

Defense:

DE: Calais Campbell, Cory Redding, Josh Mauro, Rodney Gunter

Everything looks normal, but Gunter will pass Mauro.

NT: Corey Peters, Alameda Ta'amu, Xavier Williams

We have known this all along.

DT: Frostee Rucker, Ed Stinson, Matt Shaughnessy

It might make you a little curious as to why Shaughnessy is so far back.

SOLB: Lorenzo Alexander, LaMarr Woodley, Markus Golden

This is in base. Alexander might start in base, but won't play in nickel and dime. That is where Woodley and Golden come in. How long can the old guy hold off the rookie?

ILB: Sean Weatherspoon, Kenny Demens, Darryl Sharpton, Gabe Martin, Alani Fua
ILB: Kevin Minter, Glenn Carson, Andrae Kirk, Edwin Jackson

Nothing to see here in terms of surprise, other than there are a ton of players at the position.

WOLB: Alex Okafor, Kareem Martin, Shaq Riddick, Zack Wagenmann

This is also just the way you expect it.

LCB: Patrick Peterson, Jimmy Legree, Cariel Brooks, Darren Woodard, Shaquille Richardson

The only surprise might be Richardson being so far back, but he is also new to the system.

RCB: Jerraud Powers, Justin Bethel, C.J. Roberts, Jonte Green

Again, no surprises.

SS: Tony Jefferson, Deone Bucannon, Harold Jones-Quartey, Brandon Person
FS: Tyrann Mathieu, Rashad Johnson, Chris Clemons, D.J. Campbell

Here is where I am a little surprised. From the practices I saw, it always looked like the combo of Johnson and Bucannon were the top guys. However, the two pairs have rotated days as the first team guys. I would imagine that is how the team is approaching it here. In the first preseason game it will look like this, while next week, it will be Johnson and Bucannon.

Special teams:

K: Chandler Catanzaro
P: Dave Zastudil, Drew Butler
H: Dave Zastudil, Drew Butler
LS: Mike Leach

This is always what you knew it would be.

KR: Brittan Golden, J.J. Nelson, Kerwynn Williams, Jaxon Shipley
PR: Brittan Golden, J.J. Nelson, John Brown, Patrick Peterson

Peterson actually shows up on the list. Golden is the top guy for now. Nelson was drafted to do it. We will see  how this plays out. On the other hand, Nelson is getting more reps at receiver than most probably though he would get.