Heck with Sean Payton, the Cardinals should play Will Johnson and a number of their defensive starters

by Walter Mitchell

Looks like playing a joint practice and the pre-season game in Denver has become strictly on Sean Payton's own terms, so much so that he thinks he has the autonomy to speak for Jonathan Gannon as to whether the teams' starters will play in the game.

If Gannon does not play the majority of his defensive starters, he is making a huge mistake. 

First of all, just as Gannon's defense got carved up in Indy last year during the joint practice with the Colts, it got picked apart two days ago by 2nd year QB Bo Nix and the Broncos' stampede of receivers. 

This is one primary reason why the Cardinals should use this game to coordinate their pass coverages from the ILB, CB and S positions. 

It would be understandable to keep Calais Campbell, Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins and Budda Baker on the sidelines. Dalvin Tomlinson, Bilal Nichols and Walter Nolen III are rehabbing injuries, so they are out. 

But here's who should start:

SOLB Jordan Burch

DT Dante Stills

NT Elijah Simmons

DE Darius Robinson

WOLB Baron Browning

MLB Mack Wilson Sr.

WLB Akeem Davis-Gaither

CB Will Johnson

SS Jalen Thompson

FS Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

CB Max Melton

NCB/S Garrett Williams

There are so many unanswered questions about the Cardinals ILB and CB positions. 

1-How much can the 2nd and 3rd levels improve in the zone coverage packages? Because last year, the Cardinals' zones were mostly Swiss cheese. 

2-Which ILBs and CBs can play the most effective man-to-man coverage?

3-Which CBs/Ss can matchup with the opponents' best WR, playing man coverage from the slot?

Watching Garrett Williams struggle in man coverage this pre-season, that may be the reason why the coaches seldom had him playing man-to-man from the slot. Hopefully, Garrett will keep improving his man coverage skills. In zones, he's dynamic.

Brian Baldinger, while talking with Johnny Venerable and Bo Brack on PHNX this week, asked the question whether the coaches will use Will Johnson in man coverage from the slot versus the likes of Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Baldy thinks it might be a good idea. 

While playing man coverage was not the strength of Will Johnson's game at Michigan, maybe it's a good idea for the coaches to see what Will can do from the slot. Better to find this out sooner rather than later.

https://x.com/JohnnyVenerable/status/1955514057693503720

My guess is that the two best options for playing man coverage on the slot WR are Max Melton and Rabbit. I have been hoping to see Nick Rallis use the pesky Kei'Trel Clark in the slot, but it doesn't seem like that is going to happen. Can Darren Hall can play the slot? Or, maybe recent addition Steven Gilmore, who seems to have quick feet to handle it?

If Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is going to be playing the slot, can Kitan Crawford can be as effective at the key deep safety position that Rabbit is tailor-made for? 

At the ILB spots the coaches need to know asap who the best two players are in pass coverage. Mack Wilson Sr. (56.8) and Akeem Davis-Gaither (57.5) struggled with it last season. Owen Pappoe (76.9) excelled at it, as did Cody Simon at Ohio St. (72.7) --- 

Here is PFF's overall assessment of Cody Simon's abilities and leadership:

2025 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams (pff.com)

Cody Simon was highly productive at Ohio State. A rotational player for much of his career, Simon took on a full-time role in 2024 and more than delivered. He carried a 90.6 PFF run-defense grade, an 80.6 PFF pass-rushing grade and a 72.7 PFF coverage grade, culminating in an 87.7 overall PFF grade. The Cardinals are thin at linebacker so Simon could see playing time sooner rather than later.

With regard to the Cardinals playing Cody Simon --- the sooner the better --- do you agree?

So, bug off, Sean Payton. The Cardinals need to try to give Jarrett Stidham and the Broncos' second string WRs all they can handle.