Photo by The Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line is gearing up for the new season, and with Paris Johnson Jr. moving to left tackle and the signing of Jonah Williams, the team is looking to improve its performance. However, according to Pro Football Focus’ Zoltán Buday, the Cardinals’ o-line ranks 26th out of the 32 NFL teams.
Despite the moves the team made this offseason, the Cardinals’ offensive line lacks above-average players. Johnson Jr., who ranked just 57th in PFF overall grade among offensive tackles as a rookie in 2023, is expected to live up to his potential in his second season. The team also signed Evan Brown and Jonah Williams in free agency to further stabilize the offensive line.
The team’s o-line seems to be set at the tackle positions with Johnson at left side of the line and Williams taking the right side. Williams takes over after the organization moved on from longtime tackle D.J. Humphries following his injury last year and release this offseason.
The Cardinals do have a bit of depth behind Williams, with veteran tackle Kelvin Beachum returning, who will be playing his fifth season with the team. The starting center position looks to be fifth-year pro Hjalte Froholdt’s job to lose, although the Cardinals signed Evan Brown for depth behind Froholdt.
At right guard, Will Hernandez returns to the starting role, who will be entering the final year of his two-year contract. Left guard seems to be the biggest question mark entering the season. The candidates for the position include Brown, rookie Isaiah Adams, Elijah Wilkinson, and Jon Gaines II.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing thinks the team made great progress to finish last season and sees that progress carrying over into 2024. “I thought they made some great strides in terms of execution and communication,” Petzing said in a June 27 press conference. “I really like where we are at and I think training camp is going to be a big part to take another step as we get toward the season.”
In other NFL news, Alexander Mattison’s mental health journey led him to start his youth football camp in partnership with The Athletes for Life Foundation and the IAM Gifted Foundation. Mattison, who excelled in football and the classroom at San Bernardino High School, brings his camp to his home area of Southern California.
The camp, which takes place from Friday to Sunday at the UC Riverside campus, will teach attendees football skills while also informing them about financial literacy, NCAA rules and regulations, and mental health awareness.
Speaking of great players, did you know that some of the greatest NFL players never won a Super Bowl ring? Players like Dick Butkus, Earl Campbell, and Eric Dickerson are just a few examples of talented athletes who never got to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
