Raising Zona
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Are the new Arizona Cardinals free agents upgrades or setbacks

By Sion Fawkes

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans participates in warmups prior to a game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans participates in warmups prior to a game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: Center Rodney Hudson #61 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 37-12. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: Center Rodney Hudson #61 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 37-12. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Rodney Hudson

The Cardinals pulled off a spectacular trade to bring Hudson to the Valley. And best yet, they compensated with trading away Mason Cole, who struggled at the position along with most of the unit in 2020.

Hudson joins an offensive line that already contains D.J. Humphries, one of the league’s best tackles. And if Justin Pugh can rebound or if Josh Jones can get it together, Hudson completes a dynamic unit in front of Kyler Murray. Something the Cardinals need more than anything if they want to keep Murray’s uniform clean.

Hudson also scored a respectable 73.6 per PFF, putting him as the 8th-best center in the league. Hudson ranked 6th in the NFL with 1,082 snaps played, committed just one penalty, and allowed a single sack in 2020.

Upgrade: Yes: Hudson’s presence is a clear upgrade over the merry-go-round that was Lamont Galliard and Mason Cole in 2020. While he’s also an aging puzzle piece, Hudson appears to have at least five more solid years left.

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