Believe it or not, the Arizona Cardinals were pleased with the play of their offensive line in 2019. Yes, they allowed 50 sacks but multiple metrics show they were a solid unit. One is the fact they were a top-10 rushing offense and No. 2 in the league in yards per attempt. They also rank highly as a unit in a key pass-blocking metric.
It is known the team would like to re-sign left tackle D.J. Humphries and center A.Q. Shipley. Their starting guards of Justin Pugh and J.R. Sweezy are under contract for 2020.
The one position they viably could address is right tackle. It was the one position there were questions about. They could address the position in free agency but they don’t necessarily have to go out and be big spenders. They have multiple players they could bring back for the job in 2020.
None will cost much.
Marcus Gilbert
Gilbert is the most talented of the group by far. However, he never played a down, tearing his ACL in practice before the first game. He will be an unrestricted free agent. The Cardinals could re-sign him and because of his age and injury history, he won’t command much money. However, it would be foolish for the Cardinals to just count on him to be the starter.
Justin Murray
Murray was one of the biggest surprises of the season. On his sixth team in four years, he was thrown into the starting lineup and the Cardinals were pleased with him. He started 12 games. He is an exclusive rights free agent so the Cardinals simply have to want him back and tender him a qualifying offer and he returns.
Jordan Mills
Mills was acquired to start at right tackle after the season began but his year ended three games in. He was available for a reason but before getting hurt this year, he had started every game in the previous three seasons for the Buffalo Bills. He is 29 years old and probably could be re-signed for not too much.
Brett Toth
Toth, acquired on a waiver claim before the season, is intriguing. The team likes his potential, although he missed much of the season with an illness. He is under contract still so he will have a shot to impress.
Joshua Miles
Miles showed some promise in training camp as a seventh-round rookie. He will obviously have to take huge strides, but he could be an option to consider.
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Ep. 255
Ep. 254
