The NFL season is just around the corner and the Arizona Cardinals are hoping for an improved season. They look to make a playoff push after having a busy offseason. To do that, the Cardinals will need the best players on the roster, as they play in a stacked NFC West division.
The offense is the strongest asset the Cardinals have. However, a rookie wide receiver could earn a more prominent role this season. Arizona needs a solidified second option in the passing game behind DeAndre Hopkins. If that happens, the Cardinals should be able to keep up with the rest of their competition within their division.
The defense might be where Arizona struggles, particularly in the secondary. They have a lot of young players within that group, which means we could see guys rotating in and out throughout the season. For that reason, we might see a starting safety lose his spot sooner, rather than later. With that said, here are two Cardinals' first-stringers in danger of losing their starting jobs.
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Cardinals first-stringers to watch
Christian Kirk
Christian Kirk is entering the fourth year of his career. He's been mediocre, to say the least, and hasn't reached his full potential like many believed he would. Kirk currently sits as the starting slot receiver for the Cardinals, but he could be losing that job soon. Rookie Rondale Moore has been impressive throughout training camp and the offseason, creating a tough situation for Kirk.
Moore coming alive is the best-case scenario for the Cardinals. Christian Kirk hasn't developed the way the franchise had hoped and he's running out of time. As for Rondale Moore, he's looked like a strong slot receiver that can give Arizona a huge boost in the passing game, serving as a great compliment to DeAndre Hopkins.
Keep an eye on the Cardinals' wide receiver situation, as Kirk could lose his job quickly. With Arizona trying to make the playoffs this year, they'll need the best player possible. Moore has the ability to be a consistent starter for the Cardinals, making Kirk a high-end backup.
Jalen Thompson
Jalen Thompson is a young safety who is in line to be a starter for the Arizona Cardinals. He sits at the top of the depth chart for now, but there is another young prospect right behind him. Deionte Thompson aims to play a major role as well and has the potential to usurp Jalen Thompson.
Budda Baker is the only player in the Cardinals' secondary whose job is safe. This is an incredibly young group who has a big task ahead of Week 1 as they face off against the Tennessee Titans. Arizona needs the best players possible to stay competitive, as AJ Brown and Julio Jones could be in for a massive game.
Look for Deionte Thompson and Jalen Thompson to battle it out in the coming weeks leading up to the regular-season opener. There is still plenty of time for changes to be made to the depth chart. Either way, both Thompson's will likely be rotating often throughout the year until one starts separating himself with stellar play.
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