Throughout training camp, PHNX Sports will provide an overview of each of the Cardinals position groups with a look at the likely starters, the challengers and players who could provide depth.
PHNX will publish position breakdowns on the following groups over the next two week:
- Offensive line
- Defensive line
- Running backs
- Defensive backs
- Receivers/tight ends
- Linebackers
- Quarterbacks
Cardinals offensive linemen
Projected starters: LT Paris Johnson Jr.; LG Evan Brown; C Hjalte Froholdt; RG Will Hernandez; RT Jonah Williams.
One of the biggest storylines to watch this season for the Arizona Cardinals will be how well Johnson can transition from right tackle, where he played his rookie season, to left tackle, the marquee and most pressure-packed position on the line.
As we noted in the top-5 position battles story, the left guard position is technically open for competition, but it appears that Brown has cemented the job. That said, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon noted that the 27-year-old veteran (like most interior linemen) is a “two-position guy” who is getting reps at left guard and center.
“Evan can play right because if Will busts his toe, we need a right guard,” Gannon said. “Those interior guys, you’ve got to be able to play right and left and if certain guys can snap that makes them valuable.”
Hernandez appears to have his position locked down and the Cardinals signed Jonah Williams to a two-year, $30 million contract ($21.5 million in total guarantees); a sneaky good offseason addition to anchor the right side.
Potential backups: Isaiah Adams, Kelvin Beachum, Elijah Wilkinson, Christian Jones, Jon Gaines, Trystan Colon.
If the Cardinals decide they would rather use Brown than Froholdt at center, that could open the door for a player such as Adams to move into the starting lineup. GM Monti Ossenfort identified Adams’ ability in the run game as a key reason why he chose the Illinois product in the 2024 third round (No. 71).
Wilkinson was the starter at left guard when the 2023 season began. He played 10 games with nine starts (inactive for one). He sustained a neck injury and was placed on injured reserve Oct. 28 before returning to practice on Nov. 29 and being activated Dec. 16.
Beachum, a valuable 13-year veteran, played in 11 games last season, starting twice at left tackle after D.J. Humphries tore his ACL. He’ll be battling with rookie fifth-round pick Christian Jones to be the Cardinals’ main swing tackle. Adams started all 25 games he played at Illinois, with 14 starts at left guard, 10 at right tackle and one at left tackle. He most likely projects as a backup guard.
Gaines, the Cardinals’ fourth-round pick in 2023, missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a knee injury in the final preseason game. Gannon said Gaines should be ready for camp “in some capacity.” Colon played 14 games with the Cardinals after Arizona claimed him off waivers from Baltimore last season. Most of them came at left guard; four as a starter.
Others in the mix: Marquis Hayes, Dennis Daley, Keith Ismael, Austen Pleasants, Jackson Barton, Carter O’Donnell (waived/injured).
Keep in mind that beginning in 2024, the practice squad will expand to 17 players for all 32 teams, provided that one player is a qualifying international player. That leaves more slots available to maintain depth along the Cardinals offensive line.
A qualifying international player is someone whose citizenship and principal place of residence are outside the United States and Canada, and who has a maximum of two years of United States high school experience. In addition, an international player must satisfy all NFL player eligibility rules and have been eligible for a prior NFL Draft.
Top photo of Paris Johnson Jr. via Getty Images
