The Arizona Cardinals will begin training camp in just a few days and we now look at the battle at offensive line. The Cardinals have struggled with injuries and overall play for the last three seasons and now, with a young franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, their play is critical.
They added three veterans in free agency and drafted a pair of linemen.
Let’s look at the group, reviewing the players, the questions, the expectations, the roster battles and the roster outlook
The players
There are 15 offensive linemen on the roster.
They are:
- Mason Cole: He enters his second year in the league and with the team after starting every game last season.
- Tariq Cole: He is an undrafted rookie out of Rutgers
- Korey Cunningham: He enters his second season with the team and the league.
- Lamont Gaillard: He is a rookie, drafted in the sixth round.
- Marcus Gilbert: He enters his ninth NFL season but his first with the Cardinals. He was acquired via trade.
- Colby Gossett: He is in his second season in the league and with the Cardinals. He was signed off the Vikings practice squad last year.
- D.J. Humphries: He enters his fifth season in the league and with the team. He was a first-round pick in 2015.
- Joshua Miles: He is a rookie, drafted in the seventh round.
- Rees Odhiambo: He enters his fourth NFL season and second with the Cardinals. He was a late-season signing in 2018.
- Justin Pugh: He enters his seventh NFL season and second with the Cardinals.
- Coleman Shelton: He enters his first NFL season after spending time on the practice squad last year as an undrafted rookie.
- A.Q. Shipley: He enters his eighth NFL season and fifth with the Cardinals.
- William Sweet: He is an undrafted rookie out of North Carolina.
- J.R. Sweezy: He enters his eighth NFL season and first with the Cardinals after signing as a free agent in the offseason.
- Jeremy Vujnovich: This is his third NFL season and second with the Cardinals. He was acquired via waivers last year.
- Max Garcia: He is in his fifth season in the league but first with the Cardinals after signing as a free agent.
The expectations
After starting 10 different lineups on the line a year ago, the hope is this year the unit stays healthy. The team’s new offense is supposed to be easier for the linemen so they should be better. They have to protect Kyler Murray and open holes for David Johnson.
Adding three veterans in free agency and getting A.Q. Shipley back from his 2018 ACL tear, the unit should be more consistent.
The questions
The number one question is whether or not the players can stay healthy. The Cardinals have been hit hard by injuries on the offensive line in recent seasons. It would be nice to see that change.
Can D.J. Humphries stay on the field and show he is worth a new contract as left tackle?
Will Justin Pugh bounce back from a bad year and return to the form he had when he played left guard for the Giants?
Which young players will stand out?
Who will be the backup left tackle? With Desmond Harrison getting released, it appears it will be a battle of Rees Odhiambo, Korey Cunningham and undrafted rookies.
The roster battles
The No. 1 roster battle might not be a battle at all. Mason Cole and A.Q. Shipley will compete for the starting job at center. However, it appears that Shipley is the clear favorite now that he is healthy. Of course, this could put an end to Cole’s streak of starting games dating back to high school.
If Shipley is firmly entrenched as the starter, Cole will battle rookie Lamont Gaillard for a spot on the roster, although both can make the team.
All the other battles are for spots on the roster as opposed to the starting lineup. Will Cunningham or Odhiambo be the backup at tackle?
The outlook
There appear to be six locks for the roster with the five starters and Mason Cole.
That leaves anywhere between three and five spots left. Max Garcia, once healthy, appears likely to make the team.
After that, it is up for grabs.
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