The Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line has historically gotten a lot of hate, some warranted but some undeserved.
Since the dark, dark days of 2018, Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach Sean Kugler has done an admirable job turning this position group around. At the end of 2021, PFF ranked the group in the middle of the league at No. 15.
Veterans D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, Rodney Hudson, and Kelvin Beachum are returning, and all look to remain starters in their given roles.
The addition of Rodney Hudson through a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason went a long way to solidifying the group, and his presence was sorely missed in the games he was absent due to injury.
D.J. Humphries had a down year compared to 2020, but Pugh and Beachum remained fairly steady and played at a starting caliber.
This position group will look essentially the same as 2021, with one big question remaining at right guard, which was shaky, to say the least, last season.
The Cardinals added former Giants G Will Hernandez in free agency and drafted young linemen Lecitus Smith and Marcus Hayes on Day Three. It looks like Hernandez is the leading option at R.G., but he may have to compete with Justin Murray and the young draftees to solidify his starting role.
Better, Equal, or Worse?
After the inconsistencies of the R.G. position last season, having a battle for the position with a good mix of experienced and young players lends hope to the thought that the best man will be starting at the spot come Week One.
However, since there are questions surrounding each potential starting R.G., this position group should be graded as Equal. There is good reason to believe the offensive line will remain steady in 2022.