The Arizona Cardinals are expecting great things for this new offense that head coach Mike LaFleur is installing. It is a lot to absorb for the players, but the coaching staff already is ahead of the curve and knows what is going on and what should happen for the end game.
Just because the offense is being established does not mean everyone is going to get it. Or perhaps, some will take more time than others.
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Quite a bit of this year’s offensive line has
changed. LT Paris Johnson and C Hjalte Froholdt are returning veterans. The remaining players were sent down the road.
This new offense requires certain aspects: A qualified quarterback, two capable running backs, at least a pair of tight ends who are blockers as well as receivers, and a full receiver room.
Plus, a very good offensive line.
Starting at this point, the offensive line is critical. If the line can’t run block or offer pass protection, it doesn’t matter what the offense is like. Failure is assured to occur.
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort made it his mission to change the landscape of the offensive line going forward. Tackles Kelvin Beachum and Jonah Williams were not invited back. Neither were guards Evan Brown and Will Hernandez.
The best offensive guard in this year’s free agency, Isaac Seumalo of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was signed to a three-year deal. On the following day, OT Elijah Wilkinson was inked to a two-year contract and C/OG Matt Pryor to a one-year agreement. A week later, OT Oli Udoh was brought in on a one-year deal. In April’s NFL draft, Texas A&M OG Chase Bisontis was chosen in Round 2 while OT Jayden Williams from Ole Miss was selected in Round 7.
Now that all the actors are assembled, they weren’t simply thrown across the tabletop and then tried to see where they all fit. Before they were drafted or signed, each player already had a slot in which he was projected to fit.
At right tackle, for example, Wilkinson (6’-6”, 310 pounds) was earmarked for this position. When Ossenfort contacted his agent, the conversation centered on Wilkinson coming in and being penciled in at right tackle right off. He started all 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons last year and played 1,096 snaps, or 100% of all offensive plays. From 2019 to 2020 with the Denver Broncos, he started 19 games at right tackle as well. So, he arrived with plenty of experience for the job at hand.
His backups listed on the depth chart are Udoh, Demontrey Jacobs, and the rookie Williams.
This offense will fail if the offensive line does not do its job. We all know this. Ossenfort has done a good job bringing in capable new bodies to compete for every opening. But these new players have to come through. They can’t just put on the jersey and lace up their cleats and not do the job.
Is Wilkinson the answer? So far in training camp (and yes, it’s early), he isn’t looking like the answer. Watch the video below. Wilkinson is #65 at right tackle, and #5 Baron Browning acts like someone announced a free buffet in the backfield.
While Wilkinson is slapping his hands to show his displeasure at missing his man, Wilkinson’s quarterback is lying on his back. And that’s with friendly fire.
Falcons’ fans couldn’t wait to see him go. They blasted his play on social media almost weekly, highlighted by the fact that he had 12 penalties last year, allowed six sacks, and permitted 46 pressures. They gave him nicknames such as “Mr. False Start.”
Wilkinson’s Pro Football Focus grade last year was a decent 62.9, with a pass protection rating of 61.0. He has versatility in that he has played at left guard and right tackle during his nine-year NFL career.
Udoh (6’-6”, 325 pounds) is with his fourth NFL club after being drafted in the sixth round and has just 22 NFL starts in his seven years in the league. Williams (6’-4”, 307 pounds) was taken in Round 7 in this year’s NFL draft out of Ole Miss. Jacobs (6’-6”, 315 pounds) went undrafted in 2023 and came to Arizona last year after being part of the last cut with the New England Patriots.
And now Wilkinson is listed as the starter on the depth chart. Is he the answer at right tackle?
In the meantime, Wilkinson is focused on what he needs to accomplish and helping out the younger guys who are now in the league and might become his line partner, like the second-rounder Bisontis, who will push to start at right guard, located next to Wilkinson all game.
Since three of the five positions are new guys, this group may take a few games to take shape and create some continuity. It seems like it will become a good to very good line, but it will need some time to get each player on the same page and used to each other.
This is a position to watch very closely all during training camp and in the preseason games.
