Cardinals offseason positional outlook: The offensive line

A look at the offensive line, the questions and what lies ahead in the offseason.

We continue to look at different position groups for the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, looking back at the 2019 season and considering the questions they face.

Next up is the offensive line.

2019 review

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The offensive line was a mixed bag if you look at the numbers.

The first thing that sticks out is how they were healthy. After years of playing as many as five different players at different positions because of injuries, four of the five starters started every game. Right tackle was the only position that dealt with injuries, as Marcus Gilbert was lost for the season before Week 1, Jordan Mill went down a couple of games later and Justin Murray, one of the biggest surprises of the season, missed a couple of games.

D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, A.Q. Shipley and J.R. Sweezy all played more than 95 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Late in the season, Mason Cole was given some snaps to give him playing time. The four starters only missed a handful of snaps all season because of injury.

That said, the allowed 50 sacks. That stands out, although many sacks could be credited to quarterback Kyler Murray, who took many sacks he shouldn’t have after holding on to the ball too long. At the same time, Murray also evaded some pressure that perhaps would have resulted in sacks for other less mobile quarterbacks.

The line produced in the running game. The Cardinals were ninth in the league in rushing and second in yards per rush. The offensive line was a big part of that.

Overall, they were available, they were very good in the running game and not bad in pass protection despite the number of sacks allowed.

So now what?

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