The Arizona Cardinals’ first 2026 preseason depth chart is out, and while plenty can still shift before the regular season, a few early trends are already hard to miss.
Jacoby Brissett is exactly where he was expected to be at quarterback, and Gardner Minshew is sitting behind him as QB2. Minshew has been one of the more noticeable quarterbacks in camp, even though he’s also been responsible for both interceptions thrown by Arizona passers. That’s the tradeoff with him: he’s a true gunslinger, and the Cardinals have gotten some of their most electric offensive moments from his arm.
Carson Beck is the name worth watching next. The rookie third-round pick has been uneven early in camp, but it still feels like Arizona is going to need to see more before the regular season wraps up.
If the Cardinals make a quarterback move early, Minshew would be the likeliest candidate. Later on, that picture feels much less certain.
The running back situation also looks a little messier on paper than it does on the field. There’s been a lot of conversation around Love and what his role will become in 2026, especially after Arizona spent premium capital on him.
Tyler Allgeier showing up ahead of Love on the depth chart shouldn’t send anyone into a panic. Allgeier has taken plenty of first-team work, but Love has as well, and this has the feel of a real 1A/1B setup.
There’s a similar warning attached to the rest of the backfield. Bam Knight has been getting reps ahead of Trey Benson in camp, even though Benson is listed ahead of Knight on the depth chart. In other words: don’t read too much into the order just yet.
Up front, the Cardinals may have already settled one of their summer questions. A battle at right guard was the expectation entering camp, but Adams has taken over those snaps and looks like the starter unless second-round pick Chase Bisontis turns heads in preseason action.
Even then, Bisontis would need Adams to slip in a big way. The depth chart only confirms what camp has shown: Adams has been the clear favorite, and Bisontis has seen very little time with the first unit.
Arizona also used “or” in four different spots, a sign that those jobs are still open. Three of them are in the front seven, which fits the way the Cardinals rotate those players. Usage there tends to depend on the situation more than a strict pecking order.
The most interesting of those “or” spots is at CB2, where Burke and Melton are both in the mix opposite Will Johnson. Burke made a strong impression as a rookie, while Melton is trying to bounce back after a shaky 2025.
At safety, the Cardinals appear to have a small surprise. Taylor-Demerson, known as Rabbit, was widely expected to step into a starting role after Jalen Thompson’s departure.
Even after Wingard signed in free agency, Taylor-Demerson seemed like the better fit next to Budda Baker. But Wingard has had the slight edge in camp, and the depth chart reflects that.
Still, Arizona likes using a dime package with three safeties, so Taylor-Demerson should remain in the mix even if the chart holds.
Devin Duvernay is listed as the top option on both kick and punt returns, which lines up with his reputation around the league. The Cardinals are hoping he can bring a spark to that phase of the game that hasn’t been felt since Patrick Peterson’s return days. Ihmir Smith-Marsette is the backup on both units and could be a name to keep in mind when roster cuts arrive.
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Love and Beck stand out for Arizona because the Cardinals used meaningful draft capital on both, hoping to add young talent that can matter sooner rather than later. Preseason opener or not, these are the kinds of snaps that can shape a rookies standing quickly, especially when a team is trying to balance long-term planning with immediate competition at key spots. The next step is less about the buzz of draft night and more about how those two fit when the pads come on for real. [Read more 🡒]
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The concern now is less about the moment than the unknowns around it. Nolen was hurt during 11-on-11 drills, and the team still has not offered any clarity on the exact nature or severity of the injury, leaving his status to be addressed after head coach Mike LaFleurs planned press conference. For a player expected to factor prominently into the Cardinals plans, even an early camp setback carries real weight. [Read more 🡒]