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Jack Conklin would be solid addition to Arizona Cardinals

By Jim Koch

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Jack Conklin of Michigan State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Jack Conklin of Michigan State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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Prospective free agent Jack Conklin would be an excellent candidate for the Arizona Cardinals vacant right tackle position

The week before the 2019 campaign got underway, the Arizona Cardinals plan for their right tackle position got derailed. Marcus Gilbert, a trade acquisition from the Pittsburgh Steelers, was placed on the injured-reserve list on September 10th. A knee injury suffered during a practice would put an end to the veteran’s Cardinals career before it even got started.

Arizona signed former Buffalo Bill Jordan Mills as a possible replacement for Gilbert, but the squad ultimately decided to go with another free agent pickup at the spot. Justin Murray, who was claimed off of the waiver-wire on September 1st, would go on to start 12 contests for the Cards. The former Oakland Raider did a solid job, but the Cardinals could almost certainly do better than Murray going forward.

One player who general manager Steve Keim could consider for the gig is prospective free agent Jack Conklin. The Michigan State University product, who has spent his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, will be available in March. Would the front office consider Conklin for the vacancy that currently exists on the Cards offensive line?

Conklin has started 57 games for the Titans since he was the eighth-overall selection of the franchise back in 2016. The 6’6, 308 pounder started all 16 games during his first two campaigns in the NFL, and did the same last season as well. A combination of knee issues and a concussion caused Conklin to miss a total of seven contests in 2018, but he did manage to start in the other nine matchups.

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The 25-year old Conklin was named First team All-Pro following an outstanding rookie performance in ’16. Tennessee elected to decline the fifth-year option on the Michigan native’s contract last May, which will allow the lineman to enter free agency two months from now. Conklin would provide an immediate upgrade at the right tackle post, and Arizona would be wise to pursue him when the signing period begins this offseason.

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