The Cardinals have had some high highs and low lows throughout the offseason.
Outside of the Chicago Bears, there may not have been a more intriguing team to monitor in 2024 NFL free agency than the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did they have $50 million in cap space to spend, but they also entered the offseason with 13 draft picks in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Of those 13, two of them are in Round 1 and six of them are through the first three rounds. The future is bright in the desert. The Cardinals have already made some moves to make sure that future shines more profusely.
Some of those, like signing right tackle Jonah Williams, were prudent endeavors to make. Others, like trading for Desmond Ridder, left heads to be scratched.
Best Move: Signing Jonah Williams
When the Cardinals released left tackle DJ Humphries, many began operating the assumption that Arizona would be drafting Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But, they essentially opted to swap one tackle for another and signed former Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Jonah Williams to a two-year $30 million deal.
Williams began his NFL career as a left tackle, but made the switch over to the right side of the offensive line last season. The switch ended with him playing the best football of his professional career to date.
Not only did switching to the right side of the line get the best out of Williams, but the reverse switch should end up paying dividends for another Cardinals offensive tackle. Paris Johnson Jr. was Arizona’s first round pick in last year’s draft.
He had a solid rookie season playing right tackle, but played left tackle at Ohio State. His play was a bit up and down a year ago, which is to be expected of a rookie. But the switch to right tackle may have played a factor as well.
Johnson was named to the Big Ten First-Team as a left tackle in 2022. He was elite on that side of the line of scrimmage that season in Columbus.
Humphries, Arizona’s previous left tackle, played well last season for the Cardinals, but he also tore his ACL in Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Moving on from him allows Johnson to play his more natural position. The Cardinals should not miss a beat making that switch and slotting Williams at right tackle. In fact, their offensive line should be better. This was a great signing by Arizona.
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