Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
We look at LT D.J. Humphries place on the roster and lineup as training camp begins in 2023.
The Arizona Cardinals open training camp at the end of this month, so we will do a roster review, highlighting each player currently on the roster, going over last season, their salary and cap number, questions they face and what their expected roster status will be.
Next up is tackle D.J. Humphries.
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Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries is confident a contract extension will get done.
After an up-and-down first few seasons in the league, left tackle D.J. Humphries has become a mainstay on the Arizona Cardinals offense and a fan favorite.
In 2019, the Cardinals signed Humphries to a three-year extension after a solid season. They were banking on him to stay healthy for their ascending quarterback in Kyler Murray.
Humphries has done just that, appearing in almost every game for the Cardinals since signing the deal. He missed some time due to COVID-19 late last season, which also impacted his play. Prior to catching the virus, he started 47 consecutive games.
Set to be a free agent following this season, Humphries was asked about his thoughts on a potential contract extension. He isn’t worried. He knows he is in demand and a contract will come.
“Hell yeah,” he said. “Left tackles don’t grow on trees, baby.”
He’s right. Many of the league’s top left tackles have been given extremely lucrative contract extensions in the past year. His previous contract had an average of nearly $15 million per year, while left tackles now are getting into the $20 million range.
“My plan was to play here my whole career,” Humphries said.
The Cardinals could create some much-needed cap space for this season by extending Humphries. He currently has just over a $19 million cap hit for this season, which could be re-worked into his new deal. The team could use some extra cap space to potentially fill out the edge rusher and cornerback positions before the season starts.
Left tackles most certainly don’t grow on trees. The Cardinals would be wise to extend theirs now as the price tag for the position continues to increase.
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One of the biggest offseason acquisitions for the Cardinals was center Rodney Hudson, who figures to give the Cardinals one of the league’s most formidable offensive lines.
The Arizona Cardinals have had an offseason full of mixed emotions. To this point, they’ve had an excellent incoming free agent class, highlighted by J.J. Watt, A.J. Green and Matt Prater. With these exciting acquisitions, however, came the departure of franchise icon Patrick Peterson, who chose to leave Arizona in favor of the Minnesota Vikings. The team also parted ways with standout edge rusher Haason Reddick, who signed a one-year deal with Carolina.
Historically, Arizona hasn’t been one of the more talked about teams in the sports media world, but that has changed since the Cardinals’ recent bold and exciting moves since drafting quarterback Kyler Murray No. 1 overall.
The Cardinals made a trade this offseason, one that won’t be talked about and get all the media attention like some of the team’s recent moves have had. That mostly has to do with the position. Make no mistake, however, center Rodney Hudson’s arrival to the desert gives the Cardinals an elite offensive line for the first time in years.
There is a very strong argument for Rodney Hudson being the best center in the NFL. It’s hard to name someone better. At age 31, he should have quite a few years left in the most important seasons for protecting his young quarterback, Kyler Murray.
The #Raiders are trading C Rodney Hudson to the #AZCardinals for draft picks, per @MikeGarafolo
Hudson: 93.6 pass-blocking grade since 2015 (1st among all Centers) pic.twitter.com/hOML0Sm0MH
— PFF (@PFF) March 17, 2021
The Cardinals suffered from poor center play in 2020, which put extra stress on guards Justin Pugh and Justin Murray. The acquisition of Hudson should allow both guards to be better in 2021. Hudson will also be tasked with making calls along the offensive line, which should make everyone better.
On paper, this Cardinals offensive line looks legit. D.J. Humphries, a Pro Bowl snub last season, has quietly emerged as one of the NFL’s premier left tackles. Humphries was dominant, allowing only 12 pressures in the final 12 games and one sack on the season. He had an overall PFF grade above 90.
Justin Pugh, who has been brought up in trade/cut conversations, appears to be staying put in the valley. General Manager Steve Keim recently expressed his admiration of the 2018 big-ticket free agent acquisition, stating he believed 2020 was Pugh’s best year as a Cardinal. He struggled with penalties, but only allowed one sack on the season. Pugh’s game should take another step forward next to Rodney Hudson.
Longtime left tackle Kelvin Beachum made the switch to right tackle for offensive line coach Sean Kugler last season, surprising many with his standout performance. He was a late offseason acquisition who took over the starting job immediately. The Cardinals rewarded Beachum with a two-year contract, solidifying the right tackle position moving forward.
The point here is the Cards had solid to great contributions from their returning 2020 starters. Adding Hudson to that mix subsequently fills the team’s biggest offensive hole from last season and gives the whole group a standout veteran presence.
The best offensive lines in the NFL all have a standout center. It just so happens the Cardinals added quite possibly the best in the game at that position. The addition of Rodney Hudson appears to be paving the way for an elite offensive line for Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury.
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Here are two names to keep an eye on at Pick 8 for the Cards.
An interesting tweet came out from Peter Schrager this week that should have perked the ears of some Arizona Cardinals fans. It said that Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas and Florida cornerback CJ Henderson are getting more top-10 buzz than they were a month ago at the NFL combine.
Two names — neither are shockers — that are getting far more Top 10 buzz than they were a month ago at Combine:
1. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
2. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 14, 2020
Why would this interest fans? Well, for starters, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has gone on record saying that he values offensive tackles and cornerbacks above other positions because of the difficulty to find them in free agency later on.
For Thomas, they may be interested for a bevy of reasons. For starters, he is top-rated tackle by Pro Football Focus.
Andrew Thomas is PFF's OT1@PFF_Mike:https://t.co/1zFmruYyH4
— PFF (@PFF) April 13, 2020
He also played right tackle before moving to the left side at Georgia, and would be likely able to play either should something happen to D.J. Humphries, given that last season was his first full 16 game season.
His detractors say he’s not as athletic as Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills, nor does he have the upside of a Mekhi Becton.
Nonetheless, of all the tackles with first-round worthy grades, he might be the surest thing in terms of NFL success, and many project him to be a solid starter for many seasons as the worst-case scenario. Given Arizona’s misfortune with offensive lineman in the draft and their need to protect Kyler Murray, this would seem to be a smart pick.
As for Henderson, he could provide an instant starter across from Patrick Peterson and instantly transform the Cardinals secondary into one of the NFC’s best. Given his abilities in man coverage, and Vance Joseph’s defense likely wanting to leave the corners on an island, this would seem to be a viable fit.
His weakness is in run defense, but it’s very possible that he could be schemed out of too much responsibility there.
They may not take either player, but these are definitely two names to keep in mind on Thursday night at pick No. 8 for Arizona.
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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 263
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Ep. 262
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The Jets could be in the market for a new left tackle, and the market includes one elite young stud and two veteran stars for Joe Douglas.
Left tackle might be the most important position on the offensive line, and the Jets could be looking to find an upgrade if they decide to not re-sign Kelvin Beachum.
It isn’t saying much to point out Beachum ranked highest among Jets linemen in 2019. Joe Douglas would be foolish not to at least explore the free agent market for a new left tackle if he thinks he can find someone who can better protect Sam Darnold.
The left tackle market is a little wonky. It basically consists of one young, elite talent, two aging veterans way past their primes and a couple of unproven or inexperienced players. Douglas should navigate this pool carefully before pulling the trigger on a high-priced tackle, especially considering how many other positions of need he has to bolster.
Here are the five best left tackles the Jets should target.
If protecting Sam Darnold is what Joe Douglas is looking for from a new starting left tackle, Colts free agent Anthony Castonzo is the best on the market. He’s the eighth-ranked left tackle in pass-protection with an 84.4 Pro Football Focus grade, and the fifth-ranked in dropback passing scenarios. Castonzo is also incredibly consistent, posting overall grades between 76.9 and 83.4 since 2012.
Castonzo is still relatively young – he’ll turn 32 in August – and has the ideal size at 6-foot-7 and 307 pounds for a premier tackle. He’d fortify the offensive line no matter who else Douglas brings in, but it would come at a premium. Castonzo will likely require somewhere between $14.5-$16 million per year, much like Titans tackle Taylor Lewan got in 2018 with a five-year, $80 million deal.
