
Four Arizona Cardinals 2024 draft picks with uphill battle make the 53-man roster
The Arizona Cardinals have a new crop of young players in 2025 and also many notable free agent additions. As a result, it will be tough for some players to make the roster.
Of their 2024 draft picks, at least four will have stuff battles for the roster this season.
Who are the picks from last season who are far from guaranteed to make the team this year?
2024 Cardinals draft picks with jobs on the line
CB Elijah Jones: Drafted in the third round last year, he spent all season on injured reserve. But with the Cardinals drafting another two cornerbacks, he has an uphill battle. Star Thomas, 2024 second-round pick Max Melton, Garrett Williams and 2025 second-round pick Will Johnson are all locks to make the roster. They drafted Denzel Burke in the fifth round. They still have Kei'Trel Clark. Jones, Burke and Clark are battling for what is perhaps one spot on the roster.
OL Christian Jones: Jones started his rookie season on IR but got to start at the end of the season because of injuries to Paris Johnson and Jonah Williams. Both starters are back and Kelvin Beachum was re-signed. Will there be room on the roster for Jones? Plus, they signed Josh Fryar out of Ohio State as a rookie free agent, and he was coached by the Cardinals' new O-line coach Justin Frye.
WR Tejhaun Palmer: Well, Palmer didn't even make the roster after being drafted in the sixth round. He spent all season on the practice squad. The receiver room is basically the same, so making the final roster has the same hurdles.
CB Jaden Davis: Like Palmer, Davis didn't make the team last year and spent all season on the practice squad. He has even an even steeper uphill battle to make the roster than Elijah Jones.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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