Cardinals veterans on the hot seat after the draft/free agency

**OG Isaiah Adams**

At the end of last season, Adams was starting at right guard with Evan Brown on the leftside. Will Hernandez was injured, and when he returned in Week 5, he only played six games at right guard before being placed on injured reserve with hip and knee injuries. Adams looked really good in training camp last year. But in real games, not against second and third stringers like in preseason contests, he struggled mightily. He was drafted in Round 3 to become the starter, but when he finally got his chance, he did not play well. He ended up with a *Pro Football Focus* grade of 56.7, which is not exactly what the front office had hoped for when they spent a third-round pick on him. During the offseason, Adams was penciled in at right guard. Matt Pryor was signed in free agency and is expected to compete with Adams for the starting nod. Pryor’s *Pro Football Focus* grade for this past season was a nice 71.6. Make no mistake, this is a very large man. He has long arms with a massive frame. But then Ossenfort selected OG Chase Bisontis of Texas A&M in the second round. Bisontis is an exceptional prospect, and he looked like a beast on the first day of rookie mini-camp. Yes, it will be a three-way competition for the starting right guard spot, and in the end, it could mean that Adams is either the backup or could find himself at third-string if he doesn’t ball out in training camp.

**RB James Conner**

This might be pretty obvious. Ossenfort grabbed RB Jeremyiah Love of Notre Dame with the third overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, and a player drafted that high is expected to start right away. Running backs can convert from the college level to the professional ranks seamlessly.

**LB Cody Simon**

After being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft out of Ohio State, Simon had nine starts last year and played in 16 games. While at Ohio State, he was their captain and was selected to play in the #0 jersey, commonly called the “Block O” jersey. Only one player a year is chosen for this defensive distinction to the athlete who exemplifies leadership and character.

**S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson**

Now that safety Jalen Thompson has moved on, there is an open spot in the safety room to pair with Pro Bowler Budda Baker. Before training camp even begins, Taylor-Demerson (5’-10”, 197 pounds) has been listed as the starter at free safety. However, he might not ever make it to Week 1 because Ossenfort has brought in veteran Andrew Wingard (6’-0”, 200 pounds) into the fold. Wingard is a beast. He was a fan-favorite with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are still moaning about him leaving their beloved defense. Intelligent and high football IQ. Very intense player who is an absolute dawg. Taylor-Demerson was drafted in Round 4 of the 2024 draft to eventually become Baker’s replacement. But instead, it was Thompson who left, and Taylor-Demerson has been penciled in as the starter. But he will have to stave off Wingard first, which won’t be an easy assignment.