Four free agent guard options for the Arizona Cardinals

In an effort to expand the writing staff I am opening up an opportunity for people to write.

First off, there are no paid positions available on the staff, I work with the budget I am given and that is at $0 right now, but I wanted to get that out of the way first just in case anyone had an inkling.

Second, I am happy to allow any and all of you an opportunity to write, so if you are interested, write something and send it to me, my email is in the bio.

Rob reached out to me on Twitter and then blew me away with what he sent me.

Note: I am waiting to get Rob’s information to put him on the title, but you can find his Twitter here, reach out and let him know what you think. He is taking a chance and I appreciate it.

Here is Rob’s first article on who to try and keep and who to let go among the Arizona Cardinals 2017 free agents.

Here is Rob’s second article on seven potential cuts for the Arizona Cardinals.

Here is Rob’s third article on four wide receivers who could fit with the Arizona Cardinals.

Here is Rob’s fourth article on three discount tight ends for the Arizona Cardinals.

Today, the right guard position.

RG: The current training camp battle for the right guard includes; Evan Boehm, John Wetzel and Cole Toner. Given this situation it seems prudent to sign a veteran to compete for the job and cover Mike Iupati’s LG position should be suffer an injury. This upcoming free agent guard class has both depth and top-tier quality. A potential benefit of once again dipping into the offensive line free agent pool is gaining the flexibility to allow Mike Iupati to walk once his contract expires in 3 season’s time (2020) at the age of 32 (or even to release him if he continues to not play up to his current contract). Even at this age he may still command a large enough salary to factor into Arizona’s compensatory pick equation. Having at least one veteran guard on the roster (signed to 5yr deal this offseason) grant stability and continuity during the prime years of David Johnson’s career.

• T.J. Lang (GB): Almost certainly out of Arizona’s price range given the amount of money Arizona have recently invested in their offensive line. At 29 years old this is potentially his last chance for a big payday. Rated as the 8^th best guard in the NFL and 2^nd in pass protection some team will give him the Mike Iupati style contract of 5yr/$40M/$15-20M guaranteed he deserves.
• Kevin Zeitler (Cin): Copy and paste the analysis of TJ Lang. Zeitler has the benefit of being 3 years younger (26) but has also been consistently good since entering the league in 2012. Surely too rich for Arizona’s blood.
• Larry Warford (Det): Taken in the second round when the Cardinals spent the number 7 overall pick of Jonathon Cooper. The powerful mauler has hinted he would like to test free agency. Graded by PFF as the best offensive rookie of 2013 and 4^th best guard overall his career hasn’t quite taken off since that incredibly positive start. However he did grade out 16/17 as the leagues number 22 overall guard and was 16^th in run blocking. Still only 25 years old and with his best football ahead of him he might be worth the investment. Just imagine David Johnson running behind a line of Veldheer-Iupati-Shiply-Warford-Humphries.
• Garrett Reynolds (Det): A journeyman of 27 league starts who has experience playing RT and RG. Versatility may be important given the likely departure of ‘swiss army knife’ Earl Watford. Graded well at RG (80.4 per PFF) during his time with the Rams and was released on an injury settlement before latching on in Detroit. Could be cheap yet valuable depth piece. The Cardinals may think that they have this role covered by John Wetzel.