The Arizona Cardinals have made a few moves on offense this offseason and, as a result, their starting lineup on offense looks pretty set. There is one position still up for grabs but there is likely a favorite to win the job.
Here is what the starting lineup on offense looks like for now.
QB: Kyler Murray
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
There was never any question about this. Murray is the starter and will continue to be the starter. His backup might be different in 2021 than in 2020 and 2019, but Murray is still QB1.
RB: Chase Edmonds
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Kenyan Drake has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cardinals have done nothing in free agency at running back. Edmonds is in line to start, even if they add a veteran to the room. The team believes he can be an every-down back. He will have the opportunity to prove it.
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins
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Hopkins will remain the top dog at receiver. He is their ‘X’. He appears to have some help for next year, though.
WR2: A.J. Green
Green is one of the Cardinals’ veteran additions in free agency. He will be the team’s ‘Z’ receiver, moving Christian Kirk in three-receiver sets. While his production has been down for three seasons, the Cardinals believe he still has it and that playing opposite Hopkins will lead to great things for him in 2021.
WR3: Christian Kirk
Kirk was largely thought of as a slot receiver when he was drafted in the second round in 2018. The Cardinals have mostly used him outside and have been firm in saying he can play and win outside. He might not have to this year as he will slide into the slot this coming season, presumably taking Larry Fitzgerald’s spot, as Fitzgerald appears more and more likely to be retiring.
TE: Maxx Williams
Williams returns and hopefully his ankle problems do not. Dan Arnold left in free agency and Darrell Daniels returns, but Williams is still by far the best player they have at the position.
LT: D.J. Humphries
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Humphries was great last season. He deserved Pro Bowl recognition. He will return again as the protector of Kyler Murray’s blind side.
LG: Justin Pugh
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He had a solid season in 2020. While there was some speculation about his cap hit, potentially leading to being cut or traded, Pugh recently redid his contract and took a paycut. He is entrenched as the team’s left guard.
C: Rodney Hudson
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The Cardinals traded for Hudson, giving up their third-round pick in the draft, and traded away 2020 starter Mason Cole. Hudson is a three-time Pro Bowler and is an upgrade. He is one of the best at the position.
RG: Brian Winters, Justin Murray or Josh Jones
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Winters is likely the favorite, based on his experience in the league. He played alongside Kelvin Beachum with the New York Jets as well. This is the one position where there is a true position battle for a starting job, at least for now. Murray has been a starter two years in a row at two positions and Jones enters his second season.
RT: Kelvin Beachum
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After a very solid 2020 campaign, the Cardinals re-signed Beachum to a two-year contract. He has right tackle locked down again. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Latest show:
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