Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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The Cardinals cannonballed into free agency, signing J.J. Watt to a two-year deal. The work isn't done, as GM Steve Keim must fill other holes on the roster this offseason. The new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, with the legal tampering period opening on Monday, March 15. We will break down each position group as free agency draws near.
Free agent primer: Offensive Line
Other free agent primers: CB I WR I LB I TE I DL I RB I S
Cap hit of players under contract for 2021 (via OverTheCap.com): TD.J. Humphries ($19.9 million); G Justin Pugh ($11.2 million); C Mason Cole ($2.4 million); G Justin Murray ($2.3 million); G/T Josh Jones ($1.1 million); T Marcus Gilbert ($1.1 million); G/C Lamont Gaillard ($897,034); T Joshua Miles ($868,644); G Koda Martin ($660,000); T Branden Bowen ($660,000); G Shaq Calhoun ($850,000); G Sean Harlow ($850,000).
Scheduled free agents: T Kelvin Beachum; G J.R. Sweezy; G/C Max Garcia.
Need: Medium
Analysis: It will be interesting to see how Keim addresses the offensive line this offseason. Quarterback Kyler Murray's sack total decreased from 48 as a rookie to 27 last season, and the line earned standout pass-blocking marks from ESPN. The rushing attack was great early on but tailed off down the stretch, as teams took away Murray on the zone read and forced the more traditional run game to beat them.
Left tackle D.J. Humphries had a Pro Bowl-level campaign in 2020 and is back to headline the group. Left guard Justin Pugh also had a nice season, so the Cardinals could return that side of their line provided Pugh's contract is palatable.
Offensive line coach Sean Kugler said center will be an open competition, which means there could be a player added in free agency or the draft to compete with incumbent Mason Cole and backup Lamont Gaillard.
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