Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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With July here and training camp scheduled to start soon, azcardinals.com will take a look at the Cardinals' individual position groups during this quiet time in the NFL, and give our opinions about where the groups stand prior to camp. The series wraps up with the offensive line.
Four offensive line starters seem set, with Humphries at left tackle, Pugh at left guard, Cole at center and Sweezy at right guard. Veteran Marcus Gilbert is the favorite to win the right tackle job, but even if that happens, Jones and Murray should make the roster because they are cheap options at a premium position. Garcia is a former starter who is an ideal backup at guard. Gaillard is projected to be the backup center.
Gilbert is coming off an ACL tear and has missed 36 of the past 48 games due to injury. If he stays healthy, Gilbert will likely be in the starting lineup, but any setback would be worrisome. Beachum was added earlier this month as an experienced reserve tackle option. Miles and Toth are a pair of raw tackles aiming to show enough progress to stick on the roster, but it is a crowded position group. Benzinger is among several undrafted free agents that need to make a quick impression in camp.
UPGRADE ODDS: Low
The strength of the Cardinals' starters can be debated, but GM Steve Keim mostly stood pat this offseason and seems to have faith in the group. The depth looks good, with a plethora of tackle options and a valuable veteran in Garcia on the interior. It is hard to find talented offensive linemen in free agency this late, so it seems unlikely that there will be any big additions in camp.
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