Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries will likely take over at left tackle in 2017.
It appears that Arizona Cardinals fans are about to see a changing of the guard – er, tackle.
In a recent interview on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Doug and Wolf Show, Arizona Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim indicated that offensive tackle D. J. Humphries appears likely to play at left tackle this season, while offensive tackle Jared Veldheer would subsequently move to right tackle.
During the interview, Keim explained that he had always envisioned Humphries as a left tackle.
"“When we watched him coming out of Florida, we thought he was a natural left tackle. He’s got the feet, the length, the athleticism, the movement skills; all the necessary tools to be a very good left tackle in this league.”"
The Cardinals selected Humphries with the 24th pick of the 2015 NFL draft., but the University of Florida product essentially red-shirted his rookie campaign, not playing a single snap during the regular season.
Word around the Cardinals organization was that Humphries’ struggles were associated with his maturity, and the need for coaches to regularly extend the proverbial boot to his posterior – leading to the less-than-flattering nickname, “Knee Deep.”
The 2016 season was a better experience for Humphries. He spent much of the year starting at right tackle, but was moved to left tackle for the week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Humphries started at left tackle through week 14, but was sidelined for the final three games due to a concussion.
Apparently Humphries’ audition was good enough that the Cardinals brass believe he is ready to take over the position permanently. Meanwhile, Jared Veldheer – Humprhies’ predecessor – will move to right tackle.
Despite his injury-shortened 2016 season, Veldheer’s tenure in Arizona has largely been a success. When the Cardinals signed him to a five-year, $35 million free agent contract in 2014, Veldheer brought much-needed stability to the left tackle position.
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Prior to Veldheer, the Cardinals had spent nearly two decades protecting quarterback blindsides with an uninspiring collection of disappointing first round picks like Levi Brown and Leonard Davis, and journeymen like Bradley Sowell and D’Anthony Batiste.
The move to right tackle does, however, send signals regarding Veldheer’s future with the Cardinals. He is signed through the 2018 season, with cap hits in the neighborhood of $10 million per season.
Though $10 million is a bit rich for a right tackle, the odds are that the Cardinals will retain Veldheer for the duration of his contract. Having Veldheer on the roster – even if he is a pricey right tackle – also serves as an insurance policy, should Humphries miss time due to injury.
At the expiration of his contract, however, Veldheer will be a 31 year old free agent. Steve Keim’s modus operandi does not appear to involve re-signing aging veterans to large, multi-year contracts. With left tackle an indispensable position, another team is likely to offer Veldheer a contract to protect their quarterback’s blindside – a contract that Keim will be unwilling to match.