Seven Options for Cardinals to Replace D.J. Humphries
With the very unfortunate recent news of D.J. Humphries' ACL tear, the Arizona Cardinals suddenly have a potential glaring need at left tackle going into next season -unfortunately among many other needs.
Here are seven options, as of right now, for Arizona if they are to move on from Humphries this offseason:
1. Move Paris Johnson Jr. over to the left side and draft a right tackle
There should be multiple right tackles available in the draft (which, thankfully, appears to be deep in offensive lineman) including a few that could be had at either the later of their first-round picks or on Day 2.
This includes JC Latham of Alabama, Taliese Fuaga of Oregon St. and Tyler Guyton of Oklahoma as a starting list.
2. Move Paris Johnson Jr. over to the left side and sign a right tackle in free agency
It seemed very likely Arizona would sign a tackle of some sort in free agency to compete with Kelvin Beachum anyway, given general manager Monti Ossenfort highly prioritized the position in the 2023 offseason.
A few names to keep an eye on: Jonah Williams (CIN), Jermaine Eluemenor (LV), Ezra Cleveland (JAC), Geron Christian (CLE), and Calvin Throckmorton (TEN - though he is a restricted free agent).
3. Make Kelvin Beachum the starting left tackle for 2024 and draft a Day 2 or Day 3 left tackle to develop
Probably the most popular Day 2 option for Cardinals fans may be Arizona Wildcats left tackle Jordan Morgan, who many project to go at the beginning of the second round.
Patrick Paul from Houston may be the most well known name outside of Morgan that could be in second day consideration. However, there are other options such as Kiran Amegadjie from Yale or Blake Fisher from Notre Dame that could be considerations on Day 3.
4. Draft a replacement left tackle in Round 1
Options here could be Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu or even Troy Fautanau
This, of all the options here, seems like the most likely route they will go with Beachum signed through 2024. Ossenfort and co. prioritized this position last offseason and they will likely do so again in 2024.
If they were to prioritize this over a stud wide receiver in the draft, it should not shock anyone.
5. Sign a left tackle in free agency
Mekhi Becton (NYJ) is an option here and...drumroll...Josh Jones (HOU) is too. How ironic would that be?
6. A combination of all the above
We should not be shocked if they have five legitimate starting offensive tackles on their roster to start the 2024 pre-season by way of adding through both the draft and free agency.
7. Trade for a tackle
This is the least likely, but there are a few options to consider the plentiful draft ammo the Cardinals currently have.
Perhaps Jedrick Wills Jr. or Jack Conklin from the cash-strapped Browns for instance?
