Arizona Cardinals could consider an upgrade at center
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals front office would upgrade their offensive line in a big way by signing free agent center Matt Paradis
One thing that’s certain about the Arizona Cardinals at the present time is that their offensive line needs help. In fact, there isn’t one spot among the group that couldn’t use an upgrade. The Cards’ front office is expected to address the problem vehemently this offseason, and may use free agency as a tool to do so.
One player who could be targeted by the club is Matt Paradis, the starting center of the Denver Broncos. It’s being reported that the 29-year old, who has 57 NFL starts under his belt, will be permitted to test the free agent waters. Word out of Denver is that general manager John Elway wants Paradis to return, but is unwilling to get into a bidding war for the veteran’s services.
The former sixth-round draft pick would be an attractive addition to the Cardinals. Second-year player Mason Cole did a solid job last season, starting all 16 games for the squad. Even so, electing to pursue a major talent like Paradis has to be considered a no-brainer for the Arizona brass.
There is a red flag associated with the 6’3, 300 pounder, however. Paradis suffered a fractured right fibula last November, causing him to miss the Broncos’ final seven contests of 2018. Nevertheless, his rehab is reportedly going well, and he fully expects to be healthy when training camp commences this summer.
The Cards do have a connection to Paradis. New offensive line boss Sean Kugler coached the Boise State University product in Denver last year.
There’s another Cardinals center who’s also in the mix. A.Q. Shipley was signed to a one-year extension last August, despite the fact that he had suffered a torn ACL just three weeks before. The 32-year old is a well-respected member of the locker room, but Paradis is still a far better option.
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One of Arizona’s main offseason priorities has to be the offensive line. The organization has an ample amount of cash that can be used to address the issue. Acquiring a skilled blocker like Paradis would be an excellent start.