# Donnie Druin: Druin names six under-the-radar Cardinals who boosted their stock in training camp and could make the final 53-man roster, with rookie tackle Jayden Williams described as having secured a spot outright. They also predict Arizona will rank near the top of the league in tight end usage in 12/13 personnel and that Bam Knight has passed Trey Benson in the running back pecking order. **Claimed:** Aug 12, 2026 **Pundit:** Donnie Druin — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/donnie-druin **Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/cardinals/onsi/6-overlooked-arizona-cardinals-who-look-like-final-53-man-roster-locks 7 checkable claims — 6 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call. It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record. 5 of 7 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 80 for a naive guess at the same calls. Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the rest of the room. > Williams undoubtedly has secured his spot on the final 53 thanks to strong play we saw on his tape from Ole Miss. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Teagan Quitoriano to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Teagan Quitoriano, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jayden Williams to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jayden Williams, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Bam Knight to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jalen Brooks to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jalen Brooks, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Eku Leota to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Eku Leota, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Bam Knight to be 4th on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ihmir Smith-Marsette — “heavily in the conversation if the Cardinals keep a sixth receiver”** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Arizona Cardinals - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Teagan Quitoriano — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/teagan-quitoriano - Arizona Cardinals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/cardinals - Jayden Williams — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jayden-williams - Bam Knight — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bam-knight - Jalen Brooks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jalen-brooks - Eku Leota — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/eku-leota - Ihmir Smith-Marsette — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ihmir-smith-marsette ## What others said about the same people - Garrett Podell on Carson Beck: Podell argues the Cardinals have maxed out with Jacoby Brissett and that rookie Carson Beck should be ramped up to replace them as starter, targeting Week 8 at Dallas for Beck's regular-season debut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2f499498-ebbe-41f8-8ea3-41fe96f79432 (scored 0) - Jesse Holley on Arizona Cardinals: Jesse predicted the Cowboys finish 10-7 but still win the NFC East with 10 wins, picking Dallas over the Giants, Commanders, Texans, Buccaneers, Colts (loss), and losing to Baltimore, Green Bay, Philadelphia twice, Arizona, Seattle and the Rams. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c8bf64dc-c1b3-42db-86f8-51b862676332 (scored 100) - Garrett Podell on Arizona Cardinals: For Week 7 of the 2026 season, Podell predicts Daniel Jones plays a clean, turnover-free game against Minnesota's top-ranked defense, Bijan Robinson rushes for 150-plus yards against the undefeated 49ers, and the Cardinals upset the Broncos at home without scoring a touchdown. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5e8e3212-036d-46f2-8339-92fbb0e4be71 (scored 0) - Tyler Sullivan on Arizona Cardinals: In his Week 7 upset alert column, Sullivan expects the Cardinals to score in the low-to-mid 20s and beat the visiting Broncos, whose offense he views as broken under Bo Nix. He also suggests Sam Darnold's turnovers will let the Chiefs win in Seattle and remain undefeated. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/acdebc00-85f6-4a9d-9cd8-f803aaebe525 (scored 0) - Tyler Sullivan on Arizona Cardinals: Sullivan projects final scores for every Week 7 NFL game, including a comfortable Vikings home win over the Colts, a Jets win over the winless Dolphins, a Browns road win in Tennessee, another Cardinals upset over Denver, and a Bengals win in Baltimore. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/97bc793d-c9fd-46fc-9ecb-2df22b1100ac (scored 23.81) - Tyler Sullivan on Arizona Cardinals: Sullivan flagged Week 5 upset candidates, pointing to the Cardinals knocking off the favored Lions and the 49ers beating the Seahawks on the road. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/84c6cb38-3454-496e-ba3d-b66e81dea9eb (scored 0) ## More roster spot calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0) - Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0) - Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0) - Charean Williams on Odell Beckham Jr.: Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d4fd8cfb-3c75-4209-9e1a-d60e821f315b (scored 0) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=donnie-druin