Josh Jones gives Arizona Cardinals a positive look into the future
By Jim Koch
A solid start by Josh Jones during last Sunday’s loss should give the Arizona Cardinals a great deal of hope for the future.
The Arizona Cardinals were under the impression that they got an absolute steal back in 2020 when they acquired Josh Jones with a third-round draft pick. After all, many draftniks had placed an opening-round grade on the offensive tackle out of the University of Houston.
For whatever reason, the 6 foot 7, 319 pound Jones did not progress quickly enough for the Cardinals. With D.J. Humphries protecting quarterback Kyler Murray’s blind side, the squad’s coaching staff was hoping that Jones would man the right tackle position. Unfortunately, things did not work out for the former Houston Cougars blocker early on.
With Jones developing slowly, Arizona was forced to go out and sign veteran Kelvin Beachum to pick up the slack. Offensive line coach Sean Kugler was more than happy with Humphries and Beachum as the starting tackles, and Jones ended up seeing very little action during his rookie campaign.
Jones’ growth was stunted even more last season when the Cards played the lineman out of position. The team made the Richmond, Texas native a starter at right guard, basically ignoring the fact that Jones was better-suited to play tackle.
Needless to say, the experiment failed. Jones struggled mightily in his 12 starts at guard, leading some to wonder if the 72nd-overall selection of the 2020 draft would ever find success in the NFL.
Josh Jones is progressing towards a starting role for the Arizona Cardinals
Most of those doubts about Jones were put to rest last Sunday during Arizona’s 34-26 setback against the Minnesota Vikings. With Humphries sidelined with an injured knee, the 25-year-old got the start at left tackle. The results were fantastic.
Pro Football Focus, the well-respected website, graded Jones at an outstanding 70.4 for his performance versus the Vikings. Even more impressive was the 86.0 grade he received for his play against Minnesota’s vaunted edge-rushers. Jones’ run-blocking could still use some work, but the Cardinals are confident that he’ll improve in that area over time.
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Beachum is in the final season of the two-year deal he signed back in March of 2021. Based on last week, it would not be surprising in the least to see the emerging Jones take over at right tackle for the Redbirds in 2023.
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