The Arizona Cardinals have put together a near-perfect offseason in 2025. They’ve signed key veterans like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell and drafted talented rookies like Walter Nolen and Will Johnson.
Even after Arizona’s string of savvy moves, they still have holes to fill on their roster. The Cardinals focused almost completely on their defense throughout the offseason while ignoring their needs on offense.
Arguably, the biggest of those needs is at offensive guard. The Cardinals are currently expected to start Evans Brown and second-year player Isaiah Adams at the two guard spots. These players are passable, but could stand to be upgraded.
That upgrade, or at least some competition at the position, could come from the scraps of an NFC foe.
Arizona Cardinals could benefit if the Vikings cut Blake Brandel
In a recent article, Bleacher Report analyst Kristopher Knox listed the best player from each NFL team who could be cut this offseason. While big names like Bryce Huff and Treylon Burks made the list, one name stood out as a potential fit for the Arizona Cardinals. For the Minnesota Vikings, Knox chose guard Blake Brandel.
As Knox mentions, “Guard Blake Brandel was a 17-game starter for Minnesota last season after spending his first year on the practice squad and three as a depth player.”
Now, “17-game starter” may look better than it actually is here. Brandel was able to hold down a starting job, but he was a part of a bad interior offensive line in Minnesota. In fact, the Vikings spent heavily this offseason to improve their offensive line.
Brandel allowed nine sacks and earned a mediocre PFF run blocking grade of 57.7 in 2024. Most would consider him a below-average starter.
But Isaiah Adams, Arizona’s presumed starter at one of the guard spots, wasn’t much better. In just five starts, Adams allowed two sacks and was given a PFF run blocking grade of 64.7. Adams is inexperienced and has clear holes in his game. He looked lost in pass protection at times during his rookie season.
With almost no one to challenge Adams for the starting position, the Cardinals are banking on him showing major improvement in his second season.
So, is a relatively unsuccessful one-year starter the Arizona Cardinals’ savior on the offensive line? Probably not. Still, Brandel would give Isaiah Adams some competition for the starting spot. If nothing else, Brandel could serve as a quality depth player for the Cardinals.