Five Arizona Cardinals Whose Stock has Declined Since Start of Camp

With the initial Arizona Cardinals depth chart being released, we have our first real idea of players that are one the bubble.

The thing is, that can change on a dime with one poor performance in the pre-season, and the Arizona Cardinals open up the pre-season in three days against the Oakland Raiders.

So let's take a look at the five players whose stock has declined since the start of camp for the Arizona Cardinals.

Brittan Golden: The wide receiver has been on the Arizona Cardinals roster for almost two years now, playing in 21 games since 2013, spending 2014 on the practice squad.

He had seemed like a fairly safe bet to make the roster, until Chris Hubert got here.  Now, he is fighting for a spot and Hubert has really impressed.

Josh Mauro:  The question before camp was Ed Stinson or Josh Mauro?  Now, the question is Red Bryant or Josh Mauro, as I do not see Robert Nkemdiche not making this roster.

Mauro is listed as the third string defensive tackle on the left side behind Rodney Gunter and Frostee Rucker.

Can Mauro fend off the veteran Bryant?

Gabe Martin: Before camp started, it seemed like Martin was in a great position to make the roster.  The depth at inside linebacker was thin, with only four names: Bucannon, Minter, Fua and Martin.  Now, with the addition of Donald Butler and Chris Clemons working at the dollar backer position, Martin is third on the dollar backer chart, and likely will find himself on the outside looking in, unless something more comes of the Chris Clemons story.

While the first three players are battling for a position on the final 53 man roster, these next two are interesting just where they are listed on the depth chart.

Justin Bethel: The talk all of the off season was who was going to be the veteran cornerback brought in to push Bethel.  Now, it is Brandon Williams, the rookie from Texas A&M who is poised to breakthrough as the starter opposite Patrick Peterson.  Could Bethel find himself as the fourth cornerback, with Tyvon Branch getting the slot reps until Mathieu is back to 100%?

This is going to be a hell of a fight to watch.

Tony Jefferson: I wrote three weeks ago how it seems like no one thinks Jefferson is a starter, despite the fine work he does on the field, and the initial depth chart has him as the second string free safety behind Tyrann Mathieu.

That is not surprising, but when you look at the fact that D.J. Swearinger is the starting strong safety and Tyvon Branch is going to get the bulk of the reps as the next safety on the field, it is a bit puzzling to see Jefferson down that low.