Arizona’s roster evaluation hit a high note in a 20-17 win over Kansas City as several youngsters boosted their stock for the regular season. Emari Demercado flashed on a 43-yard TD reception, signaling depth behind James Conner and Trey Benson on early downs and on special teams. Jordan Burch created pressure and showcased disruption even when two sacks were negated by penalties, hinting at a valuable outside linebacker rotation. Seventh-round rookie Kitain Crawford flashed on defense with an end-zone interception, adding value beyond special teams, while Darren Hall flashed in coverage with a pick and slot versatility, strengthening his roster case.

Coaches will continue to evaluate how these performances translate to in-season roles, especially at edge, secondary and return units. The Cardinals left Saturday with clearer reasons to keep Demercado as insurance on third down, Burch as a 도-possibility in the pass rush, Crawford as a tackler-with-ball skills, and Hall as a depth option in the slot. The Rise Up, See Red podcast coverage will further dissect who ultimately earns the final spots and how the depth chart could influence Week 1 fantasy lineups.

Arizona’s defense and special teams carried the show in a 20-17 win over Kansas City, flipping field position and forcing KC to grind for every yard. The Cardinals deployed 37 defenders in the run game, and the plan paid off as the Chiefs totaled just 249 yards (4.0 per play) and converted five of 13 on third down. Stifling the run in the first half helped keep pressure on the KC quarterback, while L.J. Collier produced the lone sack but the line and edge players created persistent pressure.

Turnovers and takeaways were the heart of Arizona’s night. Darren Hall and Kitan Crawford intercepted Bailey Zappe, with Hall’s pick coming as KC marched and helped swing momentum to the Cardinals. Will Johnson and Max Melton started and flashed; Denzel Burke contributed four solo tackles. On special teams, miscues surfaced (Dortch’s opening kickoff fumble, DeeJay Dallas’ muff, and a Matt Araiza punt muff), but Chad Ryland nailed 33- and 50-yarders to seal it. Ryland’s booming kick from 50 yards four seconds into the fourth provided the game-winner as the Cardinals showcased a roster-building, young defensive core and a reliable leg in Ryland.

As the Arizona Cardinals gear up for training camp starting July 22, the spotlight turns to safety Kitan Crawford, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Crawford, pronounced 'Keaton', showcased his versatility during his college career at Texas and Nevada, contributing significantly on special teams with over 1,000 snaps and tallying 17 tackles. His performance, including a blocked field goal and punt, highlights his potential to impact the Cardinals roster.

With a remarkable work ethic and a background that blends experience from two universities, Crawford's transition into the NFL will be closely monitored. The Cardinals are evaluating players for key roles in the upcoming season, making Crawford's development an exciting narrative to follow.