Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster predictions after one preseason game

The Arizona Cardinals played one preseason game. That naturally means we need to make some predictions based on that one game and training camp. So here are some projections for the final roster based on that:

Offense:

Quarterback (3): Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Logan Thomas

Thomas' play makes it so they keep a third QB.

Running back (5): Andre Ellington, Chris Johnson, David Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, Robert Hughes

The assumption is Chris Johnson signs with the Cards. I think that means goodbye to Kerwynn Williams.

Wide receiver (6): Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, J.J Nelson, Jaron Brown, Brittan Golden

There is little drama here.

Tight end (4): Jermaine Gresham, Darren Fells, Troy Niklas, Ifeanyi Momah

The rookie Gerald Christian gets bumped.

Offensive line (8): Jared Veldheer, Mike Iupati, Lyle Sendlein, Jonathan Cooper, D.J. Humphries, A.Q. Shipley, Earl Watford, Bradley Sowell (Bobby Massie will begin the season on a reserve/suspended list)

Massie suspension opens the door for Sowell once again. Ted Larsen is either traded or cut.

Defense:

Defensive line (7): Frostee Rucker, Corey Peters, Calais Campbell, Cory Redding, Rodney Gunter, Xavier Williams, Ed Stinson

Matt Shaughnessy is the mystery here to me. The undrafted Williams is ahead of Ta'amu and wins that roster spot, in part because he can play more than once position.

Inside linebacker (4): Sean Weatherspoon, Kevin Minter, Kenny Demens, Alani Fua

Fua is the guy who grabs that last spot. Demens fends off Edwin Jackson.

Outside linebacker (5): Lorenzo Alexander, Alex Okafor, LaMarr Woodley, Markus Golden, Kareem Martin (Shaq Riddick to injured reserve)

Cornerback (4): Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers, Justin Bethel, TBD waiver claim player

I thought Jimmy Legree would be a lock here, but after his play on Saturday, it would appear they will need someone else with some experience in the league.

Safety (4): Deone Bucannon, Rashad Johnson, Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson

This is easy, but Chris Clemons could sneak onto this  list if they trim another player from elsewhere

Specialists (3): Chandler Catanzaro, Drew Butler, Mike Leach

Dave Zastudil started slowly, but got better on Sunday. I predict Butler shows improvement and wins here, although we might see him cut in the year and Zasty brought back. That wouldn't surprise me.