Arizona Cardinals can upgrade at center during offseason

Year after year, the Arizona Cardinals set out to improve the talent on their offensive line. For some odd reason, general manager Steve Keim (a former guard at North Carolina State University) has a blind spot when it comes to finding viable pieces for the squad’s blocking unit. There’s one particular position among that group that the Cards front office could look to upgrade at in 2021.

Mason Cole, a third-round selection of the Cardinals back in 2018, was the squad’s starting center this past fall. At various times during the season, the 24-year old was replaced in the lineup by second-year pro Lamont Gaillard. Cole was credited with 14 starts in 2020, but the sporadic benchings during the campaign could suggest that the coaching staff isn’t completely sold on the blocker.

If Arizona elects to search for a better option at center than Cole, there are several potential free agents who would fit the bill. The following are a few of the players who the Cards could kick the tires on when the signing period gets underway in March.

Corey Linsley is a seven-year veteran who has played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers. The 29-year has started every one of the 99 NFL matchups he has participated in. Linsley was voted First-team All-Pro for his performance during the 2020 campaign.

Alex Mack is another top-level center who’ll be seeking a new contract this offseason. Though he’s getting up there a bit in age (35), the former first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns has been named to an impressive six Pro Bowls. Mack has been with the Atlanta Falcons for the last five years, after spending his first seven professional seasons with the Browns.

Another possibility for Arizona is Austin Blythe, a 28-year old lineman from the Los Angeles Rams. The 6’3, 298 pounder is a former seventh-round choice of the Indianapolis Colts who played his college ball at the University of Iowa. Blythe has started 47 contests over the past three years for the Rams.

One more free agent center worth mentioning is Matt Skura, a 27-year old from the Baltimore Ravens. The 6’3, 313 pounder has 51 career starts on his NFL resume. Skura signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent back in 2016, after a college career at Duke University.