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Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim was adamant about the impact that the team’s first-round pick, linebacker Isaiah Simmons, would be an impactful player as a rookie. “He’ll find his way on the field, that’s for sure,” he said.
With the team’s third-round pick, they addressed what was considered their greatest offensive need — a tackle — and selected Josh Jones. Kliff Kingsbury doesn’t see Jones necessarily playing right away.
“To not have to rush him into a spot I think is going to be helpful for Josh Jones long-term,” he said in a video conference after the selection of Jones.
Kingsbury spoke hopefully about the return to health of Marcus Gilbert, who they feel was their best lineman before his knee injury. He said Justin Murray, who started 12 games in 2019 “developed tremendously” and also had praise for 2019 seventh-round tackle Joshua Miles.
Jones, though, believes he is ready to jump into the starting lineup, even though it would be at right tackle where he never played in college. He was a four-year starter at left tackle for Houston.
“I feel like I’m ready to play at that level against a lot of great guys,” Jones said in a conference call after he was drafted. “I feel like I’m definitely one of the play-ready tackles in the league right now in this draft. The Cardinals got a good one.”
Kingsbury was glad to hear Jones has confidence. He wants that in his players. “You want him to believe he can come in and play right away,” he said.
Jones projects more as a 2021 starter, as both Gilbert and Murray will be free agents after this coming season. When offseason work is allowed on the field and training camp can happen, it will be fun to see if he can push for the starting job.
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Ep.265
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Ep. 264
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