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in what seems as rare as a hurricane warning in Arizona, the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line has been earning the highest PFF game grades of any unit on the roster.
After two preseason-seasn games, here are the average grades for the Cardinals offensive linemen:
PFF Grade Rank on Entire Offense —- Player —- Grade —- Snaps:
1 —- Will Hernandez —- 93.2 —- 30
2 —- Hayden Howerton —- 90.8 —- 29
3 —- Hjalte Froholdt —- 87.4 —- 30
5 —- Pat Elflein —- 76.5 —- 21
6 —- Josh Jones —- 74.0 —- 96
8 —- Lachevious Simmons* (released 8/21 with injury settlement) —- 71.5 —- 10
10 —- Jackson Barton —- 68.6 —- 81
11 —- Badara Traore —- 67.5 —- 29
15 —- Elijah Wilkinson —- 65.2 —- 30
16 —- Dennis Daley —- 63.4 —- 95
20 —- Kelvin Beachum —- 60.7 —- 55
21 —- Paris Johnson Jr. —- 59.8 —- 30
31 —- D.J. Humphries —- 59.8 —- 11
35 —- Lecitus Smith —- 54.7 —- 19
38 —- Marquis Hayes —- 46.5 —- 100
40 —- Jon Gaines II —- 44.9 —- 92
Note: while rookies Paris Johnson Jr. and Jon Gaines II haven’t yet graded highly, having watched them up close, they are playing stronger overall than their grades suggest.
In fact, Paris Johnson Jr.’s pass blocking grade is a very good 74.8. It’s his 51.2 run blocking grade that has affected his overall grade. His run blocking, once he gets accustomed to playing RT in a wide zone blocking scheme, should become a strength.
Playing NFL center, Jon Gaines II has a lot on his plate this early on. He wins on most of his blocks. Now he has to cut down on the misses.
Clearly, the Cardinals’ new offensive line coach, Clayton Adams, who helped develop the Colts’ formidable offensive line, deserves a great deal of credit for the plethora of these impressive performances. Credit new OC Drew Petzing as well for the way he’s coached up and prepared this group.
Cardinals’ Top 3 Team PFF Category Grade Rankings:
- Special Teams —- 87.5 —- #2 in NFL
- Pass Blocking —- 77.0 —- #7 in NFL
- Run Blocking —- 68.0 —- #9 in NFL
Cardinals’ Top 5 OL PFF Game Grades vs. DEN (for players with 15+ snaps)
- LG Hayden Howerton —- 93.4
- RG Will Hernandez —- 82.3
- C Hjalte Froholdt —- 79.0
- C Pat Elflein —- 76.5
- RT Josh Jones —- 69.1
Cardinals’ Top 5 OL PFF Game Grades vs. KC (for players with 15+ snaps)
- RG Will Hernandez —- 91.2
- C Hjalte Froholdt —- 76.2
- LT Josh Jones —- 73.0
- RT Kelvin Beachum —- 70.8
- LG Elijah Wilkerson —- 67.8
Eye Tests:
Suggestion: Try to watch all of the linemen on these plays, not just the featured players.You are going to be polled and ask to answer two significant questions.
Hjalte Froholdt looks to be the most underrated player on this OL #AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/AEjqr6BY8d
— Cardinals Update (@updatecardinals) August 21, 2023
Last year's 7th rounder Marquis Hayes put together a strong 57 snaps in Week 2 against KC's 1s, 2s, & 3s pic.twitter.com/Hir9U6cHhi
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 21, 2023
Every snap Paris Johnson Jr played in his second preseason game. #Birdgang pic.twitter.com/nCSthvQR2t
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) August 21, 2023
For the franchise! (and Mac Jones' physical well-being)
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 22, 2023
Whoops should've mentioned Josh Jones is #79 https://t.co/rhqXuWzImy pic.twitter.com/YeY7LQT9H8
Putting RTOB members to the test:
- Who should be the Cardinals’ Week 1 starters on the offensive line?
- How many offensive linemen should make the Cardinals’ 53 man roster? Who are they?
I will chime in with my answers later on, because I am curious to know your answers first.
Cardinals’ Starters:
- LT: _________________________________________
- LG: ________________________________________
- C: ________________________________________
- RG: ______________________________________
- RT: _______________________________________
Backups on 53 Man Roster:
- ___________________________________________
- *__________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
Practice Squad:
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
Poll:
Poll
What position group on the Cardinals is the most talented and deepest?
This poll is closed
-
2%
QB
-
0%
RB
-
5%
TE
-
3%
WR
-
53%
OL
-
0%
DL
-
2%
Edge
-
2%
ILB
-
1%
CB
-
26%
S
Stopping By Blocking Sleds on a Blowy Evening
by Walter Frost
Whose linemen these are I think I know
The NFC West is a tough place to play though
They will not see me stopping here
To watch their every hip roll and heavy blow
My wide-eyed quarterback must think it queer
To stand in a pocket without a rusher near
Between the hash marks where receivers break
The brightest evening of the year
He gives his facemark a sudden shake
To ask if there is some mistake
The only sound’s the sweep
Of easy catches off shake and bake
These linemen are lovely, dark and deep
But they have promises to keep
And miles to go before they sleep
And miles to go before they sleep
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