Breaking Down Arizona Cardinals' Roster After the 2015 NFL Draft

The dust is settling for the Arizona Cardinals from the 2015 NFL draft. After adding six rookies through draft picks, the Cardinals are hoping these moves will help the franchise reach Super Bowl 50. But how does the roster stack up after these new additions?

Having a deep roster that can suffer injuries is key for a deep playoff run. As the Cardinals saw last year, even that’s not enough if the wrong player gets injured.

Using Ourlads depth charts, we break down the Cardinals’ roster position by position. Which rookies will crack the starting lineup, and how long will it take them? We address all of that inside.

Quarterback

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Starter: Carson Palmer

Backups: Drew Stanton, Logan Thomas, Chandler Harnish

As quarterback Carson Palmer returns from his ACL tear, he is the undisputed starter in 2015. The Cardinals will be heavily reliant on Palmer’s health to stay competitive, as backup Drew Stanton was a disaster in mop-up duty last season. If healthy, Palmer is good enough to lead this franchise deep into the playoffs.

At the end of the depth chart is second-year quarterback Logan Thomas. Thomas is a wild card moving into 2016 and beyond, as he has elite physical traits he's still developing.

Running Back

Starter: Andre Ellington

Backups: David Johnson, Stepfan Taylor, Kerwynn Williams, Marion Grice, Zach Bauman, Robert Hughes

After adding third-round pick David Johnson, the Cardinals’ backfield looks a whole lot better than it did before. Starter Andre Ellington hasn’t been the dynamic playmaker he is capable of becoming yet, but having a solid backup should help reduce what’s on his shoulders.

Johnson figures to be a third-down and short-yardage spell for Ellington. He’s an excellent receiver, which is what makes him a unique talent. His pad level is too high for him to be a great power back, but maybe this will improve with NFL-level coaching.

Wide Receiver

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Starters: Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd

Backups: John Brown, Jaron Brown, J.J. Nelson, Ryan Spadola, Brittan Golden, Travis Harvey, Nathan Slaughter

Arizona enters 2015 with one of the best wide receiver groups in the NFL. Future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald is still an elite slot receiver option. Fourth-year receiver Michael Floyd is an underrated playmaker who will benefit from having Palmer back in the lineup as well.

After Floyd and Fitzgerald, the Cardinals have two exciting young receivers in Jaron Brown and John Brown. John Brown is a speed demon (4.34 40-yard dash) capable of punishing defenses for the slightest mistake. Jaron Brown (6'2", 205 lbs) is a big body with plus control and possession qualities.

Rookie J.J. Nelson could end up as the last active receiver on the roster. He’s a return specialist considering his slight frame (5'10", 156 lbs), but he might log some snaps as a vertical slot.

Tight End

Starter: John Carlson

Backups: Troy Niklas, Gerald Christian, Ted Bolser, Darren Fells, Ifeanyi Momah

The top two tight ends on the Cardinals’ roster are serviceable but nothing special at this time. Starter John Carlson is a decent receiving tight end, and Troy Niklas is more of a blocker at this point than anything else.

Rookie Gerald Christian has a realistic chance at making the final 53-man roster. The Louisville product is a good route-runner with length, allowing him to finish the catch process well. He’s also a good enough blocker to get on the field early.

Offensive Tackle

Starters: Jared Veldheer, Bobby Massie

Backups: D.J. Humphries, Bradley Sowell, Tavon Rooks, Kevin Palmer, John Fullington, Cameron Bradfield

The left tackle position is established with Jared Veldheer, but the right tackle spot could be open. Incumbent Bobby Massie is entering a contract year, and 2015 first-round pick D.J. Humphries could replace him. The decision to select Humphries clearly had the move in mind for the long term.

Training camp is likely where that gets hashed out. Massie is talented enough to start but has not shown the upside that Humphries has. It will be a fun battle to watch when football starts back up.

Offensive Guard

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Starters: Mike Iupati, Jonathan Cooper

Backups: Anthony Steen, Earl Watford, Antoine McClain

The Cardinals’ interior line could be massively improved in 2015. Adding All-Pro left guard Mike Iupati is a tremendous addition. Expect him to clear some huge running lanes.

At right guard, 2013 first-rounder Jonathan Cooper is expected to win the job. His broken leg last season held him off the field for a chunk of the year. If he’s healthy, he could be a major difference-maker in 2015.

Center

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Starter: Ted Larsen

Backups: A.Q. Shipley

The weakest position on the Cardinals offense is center. Ted Larsen will compete with former Indianapolis Colts lineman A.Q. Shipley, but neither is inspiring. Larsen spent most of 2014 as a turnstile at left guard, but playing center might be an easier task.

Shipley’s resume isn’t much stronger than Larsen’s. The Colts allowed him to walk in free agency despite needing help in their interior line as well. One weak spot along the line shouldn’t be disastrous, though.

Defensive End

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Starters: Calais Campbell, Frostee Rucker

Backups: Cory Redding, Kareem Martin, Josh Mauro, Ed Stinson, Rodney Gunter

Potentially the deepest position on the roster, the Arizona Cardinals should have a fierce rotation of defensive ends. Star end Calais Campbell should lead the defensive front in snaps played again, while the right end spot will feature heavy rotating.

It seems unlikely rookie Rodney Gunter will play in 2015. Stuck behind second-year players like Kareem Martin, Josh Mauro and Ed Stinson, he has major work to do. His technique and instincts will need to shine for 2015 to be anything but a redshirt season.

Defensive Tackle

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Starters: Alameda Ta’amu

Backups: Corey Peters

Losing Dan Williams to free agency stings, but the Cardinals added a workhorse to replace his snaps. Alameda Ta’amu (6'3", 348 lbs) and Corey Peters differ vastly due to their size, but Ta’amu will only play early in drives to stuff the run.

At 6'3", 305 pounds, Peters is good run-stopper and pass-rusher. He will likely get more snaps than Ta’amu since he can get after the passer as an interior lineman.

Outside Linebacker

Starters: Markus Golden, LaMarr Woodley

Backups: Matt Shaughnessy, Alex Okafor, Shaq Riddick, Lorenzo Washington

Although Ourlads has Okafor and Shaughnessy as starters, it would be surprising if second-round pick Markus Golden and free-agent signing LaMarr Woodley didn't start. Woodley is still a good pass-rusher, and Golden will bring energy and run toughness as a weak-side linebacker.

Behind Golden and Woodley is a disaster. Okafor and Shaughnessy are major eyesores at the position, as both struggle to impact the game positively. Rookie Shaq Riddick could easily supplant Okafor as a backup strong-side linebacker.

Inside Linebacker

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Starters: Kevin Minter, Sean Weatherspoon

Backups: Kenny Demens, Glenn Carson

At best, the Cardinals have a talented inside linebacker duo featuring Kevin Minter and Sean Weatherspoon. Minter has the natural talent to be a plus starter, although he didn’t make an impact like many had hoped in 2014. Weatherspoon has had his issues staying on the field but is effective when he is.

Behind those two is a major concern. Why the Cardinals didn’t add more behind Weatherspoon and Minter is baffling; but we must remember Deone Bucannon will also get snaps acting as an inside linebacker.

Cornerback

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Starters: Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers, Justin Bethel

Backups: Damond Smith, Jimmy Legree, Roc Carmichael, Ross Weaver, Darren Woodard

In a nickel package, the Cardinals have two solid starters on the outside. Of course star Patrick Peterson will be a force as always. New starter Jerraud Powers must step up to help replace Antonio Cromartie, but the team clearly has confidence in him since it did not draft another cornerback.

If an injury occurs, this depth chart is worrisome. The lack of a proven veteran or special young talent could really hamper this team down the stretch if Peterson misses any time at all.

Safety

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Starters: Tyrann Mathieu, Tony Jefferson, Deone Bucannon

Backups: Rashad Johnson, Chris Clemons, D.J. Campbell, Eddie Whitley

The most impressive accumulation of talent sits at safety. With impact players like Tyrann Mathieu, Rashad Johnson and Deone Bucannon, the Cardinals are able to force offenses to react to their personnel groupings. That especially goes for Mathieu and Bucannon, since they’re able to force turnovers with their skill sets.

Behind the starters are some very talented individuals. Chris Clemons could start elsewhere as part of a duo as well as provide injury protection and special teams help.