OL Kelvin Beachum is Cardinals’ veteran most likely to lose starting job to rookie

First-round pick Paris Johnson seems to be on track to replace Beachum in the starting lineup.

After three seasons with the Cardinals as their starting right tackle, Kelvin Beachum re-signed with the team as a free agent, inking a two-year contract.

He was set to be the Cardinals’ starting right tackle again.

However, since then, they selected Paris Johnson with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Johnson has practiced at right tackle (as well as left guard) thus far.

Johnson was the player quarterback Kyler Murray hoped the Cardinals would draft in the first round.

Beachum also made comments in the offseason, saying Murray needed to grow up. While the comments were not meant to malign Murray, at least one teammate was upset at what was said.

Arizona has only six players in their 30s on the team. Beachum is one of them.

They are making a youth movement.

Beachum’s salary is fully guaranteed for 2023 so he isn’t really at risk of being cut, but, with his ability to play both left and right tackle, he would make a nice backup swing tackle.

The Cardinals did not draft Johnson not to play him.

While other rookies could end up starting, they are at positions where there is not a clearly established veteran as the starter.

Beachum isn’t really in danger of losing his spot on the roster, but he is the most likely to lose his spot in the starting lineup.

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