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Analyst Projects Cardinals Starting Lineup

The Arizona Cardinals have improved units on both sides of the ball.

Jeremy Brener

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride against the San Francisco 49ers.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride against the San Francisco 49ers. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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The Arizona Cardinals still have over three months until the start of the 2025 season, but the starting lineup on both sides of the ball is beginning to take shape.

Bleacher Report writer Matt Holder predicts that the Cardinals will start quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner, wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch, tight end Trey McBride, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., left guard Evan Brown, center Hjalte Froholdt, right guard Isaiah Adams and right tackle Jonah Williams.

"The Cardinals shouldn’t have too much drama offensively. Zay Jones could push Wilson or Dortch for playing time at wide receiver, and Adams will have to fend off Royce Newman and Jake Curhan for the starting right guard spot. But that should be the 2024 third-round pick’s job to lose," Holder wrote.

On defense, Holder has edge rusher Baron Browning, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, edge rusher Josh Sweat, linebackers Mack Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither, cornerbacks Max Melton, Will Johnson and Garrett Williams, and safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson in his projection.

"Arizona should have several position battles, starting in the trenches," Holder wrote of the defense.

"First-round picks Walter Nolen III and Darius Robinson figure to at least have significant roles off the bench and could crack the starting lineup, especially if the defense uses a lot of odd fronts.

"Meanwhile, the competition at cornerback is wide open as Starling Thomas V, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Kei’Trel Clark could all easily become first-stringers during training camp."

The Cardinals will have their fair share of competition on defense, and that should allow for the best players to stand out. Ultimately, that is what Arizona needs more than anything because iron sharpens iron. For a team on the verge of cracking the playoff picture, it's a recipe for success.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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