Should the Arizona Cardinals follow the Atlanta Falcons model of offensive line building?

When you look at the last several offseasons you see the Arizona Cardinals continually addressing the offensive line, but pretty much in the same way.

They bring in big named free agents who they get at a slightly discounted rate because they are banged up or coming off injuries: Jared Veldheer, Mike Iupati and Justin Pugh come to mind.

Or, they bring in journeymen types to fill in.

Then, in the draft they tend to find athletes who they hope someone can mold.

It has yielded nothing in terms of talent on the field.

Now, this year it seems to be something that has stuck in the craw of a number of fans.

Then, you look at other teams around the NFL and where they are in the building of their offensive lines and a team like the Atlanta Falcons.

They drafted Jake Matthews, one of the best left tackles in the NFL, then they made a huge move in signing Alex Mack, the best center in the NFL, to a massive deal.

Now, in the 2019 NFL Draft the Falcons went all in on the offensive line overhaul.

They drafted Chris Lindstrom in the first round and then Kaleb McGary in the second round and their offensive line seems complete.

Yet, when you say things like “the Cardinals need to follow this format” one thing to remember is that this offensive line, if it is good, took six years to put together.

Matthews was drafted in 2014.

Mack was signed two years later in 2016.

Now, three years later, the Falcons have drafted two more offensive linemen to hopefully fix their line.

You look at the Cardinals, they drafted D.J. Humphries and it has not worked out.

They signed Justin Pugh three years later, has not worked out quite yet.

That means, following a similar timeline, the Cardinals can draft two linemen early next year, taking five years to put it together, but unlikely to see the same success.

Obviously Matthews >>> Humphries.

Mack >>> Pugh.

So, the Cardinals have started in a similar trend and have failed to hit the same way.

Unless Humphries turns it around and becomes a Pro Bowl quality tackle like Matthews.

Unless Pugh becomes a Pro Bowl/All Pro level interior lineman, then there is nothing to emulate. They can draft two offensive linemen in the first two rounds next year, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be in a similar spot.

They have to have the bones there to begin with.

They also have to have three highly talented wide receivers and two talented running backs.

They have a Pro Bowl tight end.

Oh... They also have that pesky Hall of Fame quarterback.

It’s easy to say be like the Falcons and throw everything at the offensive line.

It’s hard to execute it.