Each year, several veterans end up cut by their teams before the start of the regular season. That will likely be the case this year for the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are trying to win now, but they could still release a few notable players who survived the pre-free agency cuts.
The Cardinals would likely try to trade most of these players before cutting them, but more often than not, the players are simply cut. That was the case with LB Daryl Washington, whom Arizona already released This list only focuses on some of the more notable players, which means we're ignoring the undrafted free agents or other players who don't quite move the needle enough. With that in mind, here are three players the Cardinals could cut before the season.
CB Justin Bethel
When your own coach calls you a "failure in progress," that typically doesn't bode well for your future. While Bethel was hurt for a good chunk of the year and played better down the stretch, his roster spot is not guaranteed. The addition of Budda Baker means the Cardinals could try to play Tyvon Branch more at corner (or Baker/Mathieu in the nickel role). And with Branch taking a pay cut already, Bethel's cap savings of $2.75 million become very enticing. He's more likely than not to make the roster, but if young guys like Harlan Miller and Brandon Williams play well, Bethel might not make the roster.
WR Aaron Dobson
The Cardinals signed former Patriots WR this offseason, but he faces a tough road to make the roster. Larry Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown, J.J. Brown (who does have a sickle cell issue to deal with), J.J. Nelson, Jeremy Ross Brittan Golden were all on the roster last year and the Cardinals added Chad Williams of Grambling in the third round. Given Dobson's inconsistencies and that he didn't even catch a pass last year, he's the likely odd man out.
QB Drew Stanton
Believe it or not, Stanton has the eighth highest cap hit for the Cardinals this year. Sure, it’s only $4.05 million, but that’s high for a backup QB. The decision to add Blaine Gabbert (who could also qualify for this list, but I’m picking only one QB), puts Stanton on the roster bubble. If Gabbert and Stanton perform at a similar level in the preseason and the Cardinals want to go with only two QBs for keep Zac Dysert, why not go with the younger and cheaper option?
Check out our Arizona Cardinals team page for all the latest Cardinals Rumors or download the Chat Sports App!
Back to the Arizona Cardinals Newsfeed