TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has consistently said he has three future head coaches on his staff.

He may have more than that.

Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin doesn't call the plays but he is being groomed by head coach Bruce Arians. AP Photo/Matt York

With the Cardinals 6-2 and in a good position to make a run into January, Arians’ coaching staff may be the next to be poached after a playoff run.

Here are three assistants who can go on to better jobs in the next year or two, and possibly become head coaches in the next three to five years.

Nick Rapone, defensive backs coach: Before he was an NFL assistant, Rapone was a defensive coordinator in college for a combined 21 years. He was a likely potential replacement for Todd Bowles,when he left the Cardinals to become the head coach of the New York Jets earlier this year but he continued to coach the Cardinals’ defensive backs. After three seasons in the NFL, Rapone will have learned the pro game well enough to make an easy transition to defensive coordinator. The Cardinals are tied for the NFL lead with 13 interceptions, in large part because of Rapone’s secondary. And if there’s any question about a coach without much NFL experience being able to handle NFL personalities, he’s currently coaching Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu – two secondary stars.

Harold Goodwin, offensive coordinator: He’s being groomed to be a head coach by Arians even though Goodwin doesn’t call plays during the regular season. It’s tough to argue with Arians’ rationale on that when he’s one of the best offensive minds in the NFL. But Goodwin has had opportunities in the preseason. A head coaching job is likely in Goodwin’s future but it may take a few more reps of managing the Cardinals' entire offense for an owner and general manager to take a long look at Goodwin.

Brentson Buckner, defensive line coach: The next step for Buckner is to be a defensive coordinator somewhere but it would be a natural progression from defensive line coach. Buckner is a former player with Super Bowl experience who’s a cerebral leader. He also has the ability to command attention and respect from other areas of the defense, as he did Sunday in Cleveland during a sideline meeting with the secondary. After a few years a defensive coordinator, Buckner could be staring down Arians across the sideline.

Two other Cardinals assistants who could be head coaches in three-to-five years: Defensive coordinator James Bettcher and inside linebackers coach Larry Foote.