The Cardinals have begun the process of releasing players as they whittle down to the 53-man regular season limit.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury isn't enjoying the experience, knowing it may be the end of the road for some of them.
"It's not fun, because these guys have come here and worked their tails off and moved their lives," Kingsbury said. "When it doesn't work out, it's just a tough situation."
Alas, every team must do it as they try to put together the most competitive rosters possible. For the Cardinals, especially, the work won't end at Saturday's 1 p.m. cutdown deadline. They will have the top waiver claim priority on every NFL player released with fewer than four accrued seasons.
"It'll be a busy weekend, no question," Kingsbury said. "I'm not sure as far as numbers go, what that will look like (when it comes to claims). But I know the scouting department has been working long hours getting ready, knowing the position we have and that claim order."
Kingsbury said the scouts have been poring over tape and analyzing other rosters to determine the most likely cuts. There is only a 24-hour window to make a waiver claim, so the Cardinals must have all their ducks in a row.
"We try to get a feel for who we think is going to be available, so when they do happen you can be pretty efficient in your evaluations," Kingsbury said.
There are several positions that seem ripe for possible waiver claims, like offensive tackle, outside linebacker, cornerback, inside linebacker, defensive line and wide receiver. It all depends on the pool of available players and how they stack up against the incumbents.
"When you have that first spot, there is an opportunity to get a look at some really good players," Kingsbury said. "But they have to drastically improve what we have, because you have guys in which you've invested six months worth of coaching and training and installations. And so, if they are not a dramatic improvement, it's going to be hard to make a move."
General Manager Steve Keim hated finishing with the worst record in the NFL a year ago, but it allowed him to select quarterback Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Now he has a chance to use it to his advantage once again with the waiver priority.
"There's a lot of things that go into this weekend," he told 98.7 FM Arizona's Sports Station on Friday morning. "We feel pretty confident that we'll have the 53 that we'll be excited about."
Images from the fourth preseason game on Thursday night in Denver
LB Dennis Gardeck looks at a Microsoft Surface with DC Vance Joseph and LB coach Bill Davis.
Cardinals quarterback Drew Anderson (3) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver.
TE Ricky Seals-Jones avoids a defender.
WR Trent Sherfield catches a tennis ball before the game.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury is interviewed before the game.
QB Brett Hundley throws a pass.
Cardinals fans arrive early to the game.
Broncos wide receiver Fred Brown (19) makes a touchdown catch as Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver.
WR Larry Fitzgerald warms up under the tutelage of Jerry Sullivan before the game.
Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley (7) throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warmed up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Broncos but didn't play.
Broncos linebacker Malik Reed sacks Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley, left, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) runs the ball against the Denver Broncos.
Broncos wide receiver Fred Brown (19) makes the catch as Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver.
WR Pharoh Cooper makes a catch in between two defenders
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley (7) tries to elude the reach of Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Hollins (52) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver.
T Josh Miles
Cornerback Nate Brooks intercepts a pass in the second quarter against the Broncos.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper runs after the catch against the Denver Broncos.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Nate Brooks (41) is tackled by Denver Broncos wide receiver Brendan Langley (12) after an interception.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) intercepts a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree (15).
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Richardson (83) dives for a touchdown as Denver Broncos cornerback Trey Johnson defends during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Richardson (83) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the second half against the Denver Broncos.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyler Sigler (39) trips up Denver Broncos running back Khalfani Muhammad (33) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Dontae Strickland (34) runs the ball against the Denver Broncos during the second half.
Denver Broncos defensive back Trey Marshall (36) forces Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (89) to fumble during the second half.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson (38) and defensive back Nate Brooks (41).
Denver Broncos quarterback Kevin Hogan (9) greets Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley after an NFL preseason football game.
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) greets Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after an NFL preseason football game in Denver.
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio (left) greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury after an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Denver. The Broncos won 20-7.
