Three Arizona Cardinals position battles to watch this offseason.
As players start hitting the field for real this offseason, let’s check in on a handful of starting positions that look like they’re up for grabs.
It’s time for the roster that GM Monti Ossenfort has put together to start taking shape. Last month we had rookie minicamp, OTAs are ongoing, and veteran minicamp is next week. Over the next few weeks and months, guys will be competing for roster spots, backup roles, and starting spots.
We’ll focus on the latter today. Which spots in the starting 22 seem like they’re up for grabs this offseason? I spot 3 clear ones. There may be other spots that open up due to injury or breakout performance, but I only see these 3 spots open right now. There are two on offense and one on defense. Let’s start with the offense.
Third Wide Receiver
Zay Jones vs. Greg Dortch.
Shiny new draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. is locked in at WR1 and second-year man Michael Wilson figures to man the WR2 spot. Most had figured Greg Dortch had finally earned his spot in the starting lineup as WR3, but then the team went and signed Zay Jones last month. Dortch has familiarity with the offense and has played well in his limited snaps; Jones has the size (6’2” vs. 5’7”) and the contract ($2.25M). Most fans will be rooting for Dortch, but this will be decided on the field.
Left Guard
Elijah Wilkinson vs. Isaiah Adams vs. Evan Brown
The rest of the O-line seems set, with three returning starters: Paris Johnson Jr. switching to LT, Will Hernandez at RG, and Hjalte Froholdt at C. Offseason signing Jonah Williams will slide into PJJ’s old RT spot. That leaves LG open. Wilkinson is the incumbent starter but largely unimpressed last year; Adams is a 3rd-round rookie who played a lot of tackle in college; Brown is a free-agent signing more known as a center. This battle seems really up in the air—even guys like Trystan Colon (started some last year) and Jon Gaines II (injured for his whole rookie year) might have a shot.
Second Cornerback
Garrett Williams vs. Max Melton
Like WR, this one seems to be a straight-up competition between two guys: 2nd-year player Williams and 2nd-round rookie Melton. Williams would seem to have the edge due to experience, but he missed a big chunk of last season recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in college. So the edge might not be as big as you’d think, and the team seems really high on Melton. One wrinkle to this battle: DC Nick Rallis might decide one guy is better suited to the slot CB role and stick him there. Either way, the team desperately needs at least one of these two to step up big-time. And is it asking too much that both of them do said stepping up?
Final Thoughts
It’s a good sign that the roster seems as settled as it does, especially only two years into Ossenfort’s tenure as GM. He seems to have a knack for identifying guys he likes and going out and getting them.
Does that mean that every position has a no-doubt, solid NFL starter? Of course not. But most of the top-two guys on the depth chart will go into the offseason knowing their role, which has value. It’ll be awesome to see this team start to come together.
