Updated 53 (Week 2 Pre-Season)

A week ago, here were my favorites heading into game 1 of the pre-season ( * with this week’s updates at each position):

QB (3): 9-Sam Bradford; 3-Josh Rosen; 6-Charles Kanoff

• Same—-Kanoff is a better system and long-term fit than Glennon.

RB (3): 31-David Johnson; 29-Chase Edmonds; 22-T.J. Logan

• Same—-Would like to see Elijhaa Penny be used as a power RB option between the tackles.

FB (2): 48-Derrick Coleman; 35-Elijhaa Penny

• Same—-Would like to see Coleman get some carries.

WR (5): 11-Larry Fitzgerald; 13-Christian Kirk; 18-Brice Butler; 10-Chad Williams; 16-Trent Sherfield;

• Addition: WR 17-Jaylen Tolliver. We now keep 6 WRs. Not sold thus far on Nelson or Little, neither of whom offers much on STs.

TE (3): 86-Ricky Seals-Jones; 85-Gabe Holmes; TE-TBA (84 Jermaine Gresham—-PUP)

• IN: 89 Andrew Vollert (good receiver); OUT: 85-Gabe Holmes (we have better situational TE blockers in Wentzel, Holden and Cunningham—-plus anyone see the red zone block Ricky Seals-Jones made from the FB position? Yeah, baby!)

OL (9): 74-D.J. Humphries; 76-Mike Iupati; 64-Mason Cole; 67-Justin Pugh; 71-Andre Smith; 73-John Wetzel; 79-Korey Cunningham; 62 Daniel Munyer; 69-Will Holden (53 A.Q. Shipley—-IR)

• Same—-Coach Wilks said he hired good teachers—-I believe Ray Brown can get Daniel Munyer to improve his snaps. Munyer had been playing RG until Shipley was injured. He needs reps. I like Munyer as a center. Still picking Cunningham over Boehm because Wentzel, Holden and Munyer are better options at guard if needed.

DT (4): 98-Corey Peters; 90-Robert Nkemdiche; 95-Rodney Gunter; 72-Olsen Pierre

• Same—-strong showing from all 4 versus the Chargers. The depth (numbers-wise) behind these 4 is a concern. Adding another DT or two to the 90 man roster could help keep the main 4 fresh throughout the pre-season games.

DE (5): 55-Chandler Jones; 91-Benson Mayowa; 93-Arthur Moats; 61-Cap Capi; 96-Jacquis Smith (44-Markus Golden-PUP)

• Same—-some of you last week said it was crazy to pick Cap Capi. In my opinion, he is the 3rd best edge rusher on the roster behind Jones and Golden. Moats looked good on STs. Smith showed some good flashes. Dora is the odd man out, although he played pretty well. Mayowa needs to finish his tackles.

LB (5): 20-Deone Bucannon; 57-Josh Bynes;; 43-Haason Reddick; 52-Jeremy Cash; 92-Dennis Gardeck;

• Was so high on Jeremy Cash. What a great game. Hope he returns to the Cardinals and picks up where he left off in 2019. Very impressed with Haason Reddick versus Chargers. Was clearly more aggressive and he showed improved tackling aggression to go with his excellent pass cover skills. Thus, Gerald Hodges fills Cash’s spot. Love what the Cardinals have in rookie UDFA Dennis Gardeck. He reminds me style-wise of Pat Tillman. Not completely sold yet on Scooby Wright or Edmond Robinson, but both are making a solid case.

CB (5): 21-Patrick Peterson; 28-Jamar Taylor; 26-Brandon Williams; 33-Chris Campbell; 39-Deatrich Nichols

• Two changes here—-replace Brandon Williams and Deatrich Nichols with 23-Bene Benwikere and 34-Tavierre Thomas. Brandon Williams has such little feel and instincts for the CB position—-but, the coaches can’t teach feel and instinct. Even worse, a handful of rookies made better tackles in one game versus the Chargers than Williams has made in 3 years. If you can’t tackle, you can’t play in Wilks’ defense or STs. Benwikere was outstanding as the nickel CB and, while there are good reasons to remain high on Deatrich Nichols, Tavierre Thomas’ feet are special. Plus, Thomas showed he’s a good, hard-nosed tackler. He might become an outstanding gunner on STs. Jamar Taylor had the good deep pass breakup on the first series, but committed a holding penalty later. Chris Campbell was very physical on defense and STs. He was in good option to break up the deep pass TD he gave up, but mistimed his jump. He can improve on that with reps.

S (6): 36-Budda Baker; 41-Antoine Bethea; 38-Tre’ Boston; 30-Rudy Ford; 23-Bene’ Benwikere; 47-Ezekiel Turner

• In moving Benwikere back to the CB list, in his place here is 42- A.J. Howard, one of the stars of Saturday night’s game. His tackle/forced fumble was legit and needs to be reviewed by the league. Loved Zeke Turner on STs. He’s a keeper. And Rudy Ford looks fast and physical. He was all over the field making plays.

ST (3): 46-Aaron Brewer; 1-Matthew McCrane; 2-Andy Lee

• Same—-Lee uncharacteristically hit 3 line drive punts, but he will straighten that out. I love how the ball jumps off Matthew McCrane’s foot. His extra point and FG were both smack-dab right down the middle. McCrane’s accuracy is special.

Practice Squad:

RB 45-Sherman Badie

WR 83-Corey Willis

WR 17-Jalen Tolliver (promoted)

G 60-Will House

TE 89-Andrew Vollert (promoted)

DT 65 Pasoni Tasini

DE 94-Alec James

LB 49-Matthew Oplinger—-has solid potential

CB 34-Tavierre Thomas (promoted)

S 42-A.J. Howard (promoted)

Add: CB Deatrich Nichols; TE Bryce Williams; DE/LB Vontarrius Dora; WR Rashad Ross