The front office of the Arizona Cardinals has finally come up with a solid duo of tackles to bookend their offensive line
The Arizona Cardinals couldn’t believe their luck. After years of searching for a suitable left tackle, a free agent stud named Jared Veldheer fell into their laps in 2014. The 6’8″, 321lb monster was inexplicably permitted to hit the market, and Arizona had found their blindside protector.
D.J.Humphries was drafted a year later, and initially supplied more question marks than answers. After basically redshirting his rookie campaign, the club’s first-round selection was handed the right tackle spot last season. He answered some of his critics by playing well in 13 starts, before suffering a late-season concussion.
Three of the starts were at left tackle, Humphries’ position at the University of Florida. Veldheer had suffered a season-ending triceps injury and his initial replacement, John Wetzel, was ineffective. He actually looked more comfortable on the left side, and it now appears he may have ignited an offensive tackle controversy.
More from Raising Zona
- Would Jonathan Gannon be a good fit for the Arizona Cardinals?
- Arizona Cardinals: Budda Baker right in his take regarding the next coach
- Arizona Cardinals: 3 reasons new coach should want to work with Murray
- Arizona Cardinals special teams could be completely revamped in 2023
- Jonathan Gannon will interview with the Arizona Cardinals on Monday
There’s now talk of Humphries remaining on the left side for this coming year, with Veldheer moving over to the right. Veldheer balked at the proposed change when informed of the idea. It may be due to the fact that right tackles generally make less money than left tackles do.
Veldheer’s currently contract has him inked through the 2018 season. He’ll turn 30 in June and, despite the triceps tear, should have a decent amount of good years ahead of him. It may not happen this year, but an extension could be in his future.
Whatever sides the pair end up playing on, Arizona appears to be set on the edges. It took a mistake in free agency by the Oakland Raiders to land Veldheer, and a somewhat criticized first-round draft pick in Humphries to get it right. Sometimes luck is what you need.