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Cardinals' 53-man roster projection includes supplemental draft pick

The Cardinals took Jalen Thompson in the fifth round of the supplemental draft and he'll join an eight-member secondary for the Cardinals. AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn

The Arizona Cardinals will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Here's a projection:

QUARTERBACK (2): Kyler Murray, Brett Hundley

Nothing's changed here: QB1 is a given. The only thing during the preseason that was firmly established is that QB2 will be Hundley. The biggest question at quarterback is who's going to make the practice squad: Charles Kanoff or Drew Anderson.

RUNNING BACK (4): David Johnson, Chase Edmonds, T.J. Logan, D.J. Foster

This is one position where the depth chart didn't change. The only factor here could be if coach Kliff Kingsbury doesn't want to keep four running backs. Johnson will be a focal point in the offense dispelling the notion that Kingsbury doesn't like to run the ball.

WIDE RECEIVER (7): Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella, KeeSean Johnson, Trent Sherfield, Damiere Byrd, Michael Crabtree

The late addition of Crabtree and putting rookie receiver Hakeem Butler on injured reserve changed the dynamics of the Cardinals' receivers room. The final spot will likely come down to Byrd and Pharoh Cooper but Byrd's success on the outside may be the deciding factor.

TIGHT END (4): Charles Clay, Maxx Williams, Caleb Wilson, Ricky Seals-Jones

Now that Clay is healthy, the Cardinals have a formidable tight end unit -- it's just a matter of how often they'll be used in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. However often they'll be turned to, the experience of Clay and Williams will rub off on Wilson and Seals-Jones.

OFFENSIVE LINE (10): D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, A.Q. Shipley, J.R. Sweezy, Marcus Gilbert, Mason Cole, Korey Cunningham, Rees Odhiambo, Joshua Miles, Lamont Gaillard

Regardless of who wins the battle to be the starting center, the Cardinals will enter the regular season with better offensive line depth than they've had in the past couple of years. Cole could be an integral part of the line as the swing guard and backup center should injuries strike again.

DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Zach Allen, Michael Dogbe, Clinton McDonald, Pasoni Tasini, Miles Brown

Oh, how much has changed. Since camp started, the Cardinals parted ways with both Robert Nkemdiche and Darius Philon, making the defensive line the No. 1 area of concern because of depth. Allen has shined throughout the preseason and Dogbe has shown glimpses of his talent.

LINEBACKER (8): Chandler Jones, Terrell Suggs, Brooks Reed, Haason Reddick, Jordan Hicks, Zeke Turner, Dennis Gardeck, Pete Robertson

Depth at inside linebacker could be an issue come Week 1 if Reddick isn't fully healthy, but the rotation of Gardeck and Turner will make up for that. The edge rush may be the Cardinals' top strength heading into the regular season.

SECONDARY (8): Byron Murphy, Tramaine Brock, Chris Jones, Deatrick Nichols, Budda Baker, D.J. Swearinger, Deionte Thompson, Jalen Thompson

Arizona's secondary took a major hit when Robert Alford went down with leg injury that could keep him out for six weeks or longer. That leaves a major burden on Brock to mentor and carry a slew of inexperienced corners. The Cardinals picked up Jalen Thompson with the lone pick of the 2019 NFL supplemental draft.

SPECIALIST (3): K Zane Gonzalez, P Andy Lee, LS Aaron Brewer

Nothing's changed in the most stable of the Cardinals units. Gonzalez has been efficient all camp and preseason, making the Cardinals feel comfortable about their kicking game.