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Cards sign a defensive lineman

The Cardinals made a pre-Hall of Fame game move today by signing undrafted rookie defensive end Everrette Thompson, a 6-foot-6, 272-pounder from the University of Washington who took part in the Cards’ rookie minicamp in May on a tryout basis. To clear room, the Cards released undrafted rookie guard Braeden Clayson — not a surprise after the Cards signed guard Rich Orhnberger.

Cards sign veteran guard Hochstein

With a roster spot open after waiving the injured undrafted rookie Blake DeChristopher, the Cardinals signed veteran guard Russ Hochstein. Terms were not disclosed, but Adam Caplan reported it is for one-year and that makes sense. Hochstein is going into his 12th season, having played with the Broncos, Patriots and Buccaneers. He had been with the Denver the past three seasons.

Hochstein, who can also play center, will be a veteran to throw into the mix that includes a ton of youth after the Cards drafted linemen Bobby Massie, Nate Potter and Senio Kelemete. His versatility could give him a shot to stick around, although again, the Cards want to get younger. Right now, though, the backup guard choices are Kelemete, Chris Stewart and undrafted rookie Braeden Clayson, all of whom are unproven.

With the undrafteds, the better Devil?

There was plenty of pre-draft talk about Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict and where he might land (and for those who don’t know, Burfict was the one-time first-round candidate who ended up going undrafted and signing with the Bengals.) But for all of Burfict’s hype, many thought he wasn’t even the best linebacker at ASU. That nod usually went to Colin Parker, who was one of 17 undrafted rookie free agents the Cards came to terms with:

• WR Stanley Arukwe, Troy
• LB Broderick Binns, Iowa
• WR LaRon Byrd, Miami
• G Braeden Clayson, Idaho State
• FB Jared Crank, Purdue
• G Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech
• DE Tevita Finau, Utah
• S Blake Gideon, Texas
• WR Tre Gray, Richmond
• LB Marcus McGraw, Houston
• LB Zach Nash, Sacramento State
• CB James Nixon, California (Pa.)
• DE Conrad Obi, Colorado
• LB Paul Vassallo, Arizona
• C Scott Wedige, Northern Illinois
• WR Marc Wilson, St. Anselm

And, of course, Parker from ASU.

The list is heavy on linebackers, not a shock after the team did not draft one this past weekend. The number brings the roster total to 85 86 (since apparently I can’t add 69 and 17), leaving five four spots still open for additions, whether they are veterans or otherwise. Because of the rookie minicamp in two weeks, the Cards will also be bringing in a handful of other young players for tryouts, making sure they have enough bodies to run the practices and taking a looksee at some guys.