This group of Arizona Cardinals will feature both studs and question marks
I want to believe in D.J. Humphries. After all, the team did draft him in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. The heir apparent to right tackle Bobby Massie, who was entering the final year of his contract. And everything went as planned, as Massie was lured away by the Chicago Bears.
So here we are, Humphries getting his chance. But there are questions. For one he sat his entire rookie year. The fact that the coaching staff didn’t think enough of him to at least let him dress is a bit alarming. There were also comments made by Bruce Arians last season questioning his maturity.
The other question mark is at center. There’s been much praise heaped upon fourth round draft pick Evan Boehm. A.Q. Shipley is an experienced veteran who seems to play well whenever he is thrust into a starting role.
There’s even been some intriguing talk recently that OT Earl Watford could play some center. For what it’s worth offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin mentioned Humboldt State’s Taylor Boggs as someone to keep an eye on.
Of course, the group does boast LT Jared Veldheer as well as a pair of excellent guards in Mike Iupati and Evan Mathis. QB Carson Palmer will sleep very well at night knowing he has these three out front protecting him.
The question remains, can the team win a Super Bowl with this group? Even if the Cards were to go with the inexperienced Boehm at center he will have the good fortune of having Iupati and Mathis on either side of him.
The concern at right tackle is real. While they seem to be going ahead with the plan to put their trust in Humphries maybe a fall-back option wouldn’t be a bad idea? Maybe bring in a player like Will Beatty, released earlier this year by the New York Giants.
Beatty is a solid, experienced veteran who could step in and possibly save the season if Humphries falls short of expectations. It is a small price to pay for a team on the verge of something special.