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The Arizona Cardinals have signed two offensive linemen this free agent period. They added left tackle Jared Veldheer and then added guard/center Ted Larsen.
The left side of the line seems all but set -- Veldheer will man left tackle, Jonathan Cooper returns to play left guard and Lyle Sendlein continues to be the starter at center.
Right guard and right tackle are up for grabs. The players that remain to battle for those positions are Bobby Massie, Nate Potter, Bradley Sowell, Paul Fanaika, Earl Watford and Ted Larsen.
There is the possibility that they add another player -- a tackle. It could be Eric Winston that returns.
The team is intrigued by Watford and believe he is ready to compete for the starting job. Fanaika was last year's starter and Larsen has been a starter already in the league at guard.
Based on salary, Larsen could be pegged to start, but he also has the profile of the guy that fills Mike Gibson's role -- backup center who can also play guard. Assuming Watford has progressed, Fanaika's spot on the roster is uncertain.
At tackle, it looks like it will be a three-way battle between Potter, Massie and Sowell.
Sowell and Potter have something going for them -- they can play both tackle positions and can also play guard. Sowell has dis it in Indy and Potter learned the position last year. Massie will likely have to win the starting job to make the team. He offers no flexibility as a reserve. Sowell appears to be a lock because he is so versatile and it wouldn't surprise me to see him be the starting right tackle.
My early roster predictions -- assuming no one else is brought in -- Veldheer, Cooper, Sendlein, Watford and Sowell as the starters. The reserves are Larsen, Potter and Fanaika. Massie doesn't make the team.
Of course, things change if Winston returns or if the team drafts another lineman. If one is drafted, they will probably go with nine linemen. If Winston returns, Potter's spot is also in doubt.
What are your early offensive line predictions?
