It’s a well-known fact that the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line needs help. Start with the guard position, then move to tackle.
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort is about to dive into free agency. A player here and there can change the sad situation along the offensive line. If Ossenfort can ink a good guard and then add a capable tackle, then that would free up draft picks for other positions of need. Make sense?
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At the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season, Arizona’s
line was ranked #26 in the league. Ouch. In all fairness, both starting tackles ended up on IR. The guards suffered all season long. The result was that the offensive line ended up with a bunch of backups to finish the season.
Free agency is upon us, beginning March 9. The tampering period is March 9-11, with all contracts submitted to the league on March 12.
Now that the Cardinals have hired an offensive head coach, Mike LaFleur, he will require that the offensive line become one of the league’s best. He came from the Los Angeles Rams, which annually spends a great deal of money on its O-Line. A great offense needs a great offensive line. And what Arizona put on the field last year ain’t gonna cut it.
The last thing this new offense needs is some developmental linemen struggling to get the job done each Sunday. So, Ossenfort will need to fix the offensive line this offseason and sign some quality talent. Then fill in the holes through the draft.
The front office will need to bring in some new bodies in free agency, which begins March 9.
OG Ben Bartch
San Francisco 49ers
NFL draft: 2020 Round 4, pick #116 (Jaguars)
PFF ranking: 71.7
Accolades: First Team All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference D-3 (2019), Second Team All-MIAC (2018)
2025 season: 6 starts, 200 offensive snaps (50%)
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Every NFL club enters free agency with different goals, whether it’s one or two big splash moves, beginning a roster rebuild, or perhaps signing a few players that can help them get beyond being mediocre.
Bartch is still a young man at age 27. He can compete for a starting role or can be dependable backup material.
He has had some injury issues. Last year, he had a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 and was activated before Week 10. Then in Week 13, he suffered a significant foot sprain. He had his first high ankle sprain in 2024 in Week 14. In 2022, he dislocated his knee.
He came from a small college school but has done well at the pro level. Even though he has good size, Bartch is probably considered a backup who has played in 55 NFL games with 24 starts. He does provide versatility in that he can play both sides.
Bartch has been lauded for his solid technique abilities in pass protection. That part of his game, he will shine. His run blocking is iffy at best.
While showing promise as a reliable backup with starter potential, his development has required continued strength training to handle NFL-level defenders. Decent PFF grade for last season, although he had the two injuries.
Get this: in 2025, he had zero penalties called on him and allowed zero sacks all at left guard. Bartch has great athleticism and foot speed. His leverage consistency is a concern.
Solid offensive lineman who can get to the second level and knows how to latch onto his defender and remain engaged.
He was on a one-year deal with San Fran last year and made $1.3 million. He is a cost-effective remedy for the offensive line to come in and compete for a starting position, and then become the emergency guy if – and when – an injury occurs.
