Evan Boehm Looks To Solidify Right Side

Gearing up for his second NFL Training Camp, right guard Evan Boehm is hoping to stay put as the new starter on the right side of the offensive line.

Evan Boehm will most likely be a starting center for the Arizona Cardinals at some point in his NFL career. For now, he’s been named the starting right guard entering the 2017 season by head coach Bruce Arians. Arians anointed him the starter this off-season after his performance to close out the 2016 season, saying “I think Evan Boehm, those last three ball games, showed us he can play the position.”

At this point, it’s his position for the interim. And certainly his to lose.

The 6-foot-3, 311-pound, second-year man out of Missouri is looking to showcase his versatility when the pads come on for training camp in Glendale. But playing right guard full-time as a starter will be something new for the 23-year-old. Boehm played 52 straight games as a starter in college — none of which on the right side. So adaptability must also be on display, as well before the season starts on Sep. 10 in Detroit.

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Boehm isn’t the only one switching to a new position this year. Veteran Jared Veldheer will also be moved to the right side, starting adjacent to Boehm at right tackle. The pair will need to be in sync if the Cardinals want to push the ball down the field, and protect Carson Palmer who was sacked 40 times during the 2016 campaign. The two seem to be hitting it off on the right foot, according to azcardinals.com. Veldheer, speaking on his new neighbor said, “some guys just get quiet when they are trying to figure everything out. He does a good job of communicating, which is good.”

For a team who, just a year ago, was considered a super bowl favorite, it’s imperative to protect the quarterback. And with the emergence of a budding all-pro running back in David Johnson, this offense has the weapons it needs to put up points. But it must get better up front, particularly on the right side. And inserting a mauler like Boehm full-time certainly can help solidify that side of the line.

But will the young center-turned-guard be up for it? We’ll have to wait and see.