Projected 2020 Arizona Cardinals roster and practice squad
By Matt Murray
Is it finally time for the Cardinals DB room to fly again?
Although the starting lineup doesn’t appear the same as the original 2019 starting lineup the Cardinals are returning all of their key players from 2020 and even adding back Robert Alford who suffered an injury prior to the 2019 regular season.
Safety (4): Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Deionte Thompson, Chris Banjo
With Budda Baker leading the young safety room into 2020 they look much more poised to start the season on the right foot. In 2019, Jalen Thompson was selected in the NFL supplemental draft but reported to the Cardinals late due to the term schedule at The University of Washington.
He was put in a tough position starting behind the curve of the rest of the team who were all learning Vance Joseph’s new defense. Coming into 2020, Thompson will have a better handle of the defense and be more poised to solidify his starting role which he earned last season by starting nine out of the final 12 games.
Alongside Thompson will be the above mentioned Budda Baker who earned his spot in the 2019 Pro Bowl by putting up a career number in tackles with147. Baker is a heat-seeking missile who seems to be around the ball every play. Baker has started to prove himself as a top playmaker for the Cardinals defense and that should continue into 2020. As for depth at safety, the Cardinals will likely look to Deionte Thompson and Chris Banjo to backup their starters.
Cornerback (5): Patrick Peterson, Robert Alford, Byron Murphy, Chris Jones, Kevin Peterson
The starting three cornerbacks will be the projected 2019 starters with Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford ready to start the season outside and Byron Murphy ready to fulfill his originally projected position at slot corner.
The 2019 cornerback room started in shambles as Peterson was on suspension and Alford had a season-ending injury so Murphy was forced into a very tough start to his career. Hopefully, season two will be a much easier start and give Murphy the opportunity to succeed in his natural position.
Behind the three starters, I see Chris Jones filling the fourth cornerback slot and that is where the room gets messy. Kevin Peterson showed some flashes, but he also got exposed too often. Undrafted free agents Bejour Wilson and Zane Lewis will fight to push Peterson out of a job.
Roster (OFF: 25 DEF: 24)
DL (6)- Jordan Phillips, Corey Peters, Zach Allen, Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence, Jonathan Bullard
LB (9)- Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Jordan Hicks, Isaiah Simmons, De’Vondre Campbell, Evan Weaver, Hassan Reddick, Dennis Gardeck, Zeke Turner
S (4)- Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Deionte Thompson, Chris Banjo
CB (5)- Patrick Peterson, Robert Alford, Byron Murphy, Chris Jones, Kevin Peterson