Arizona Cardinals: 3 most pressing 2021 NFL Draft needs

2. Interior offensive line

Some feel like the Arizona Cardinals’ top need offensively is at the tackle position, but it’s easy to forget guys who may have been stashed from the previous year’s draft class sometimes.

The Arizona Cardinals re-signed former first-round pick DJ Humphries to a long-term contract and also drafted Houston’s Josh Jones in the third round when many (including this writer) felt like he could have just as easily gone in round one.

If the Cardinals decide to move Jones to the guard position, that takes care of one need and creates another at tackle, but let’s say for the time being that they give him a shot to win that right tackle spot.

Arizona would have clear needs on the interior offensive line, specifically at right guard and/or center.

Current starter Mason Cole has been the top center on the team for two of his three seasons in Arizona. He’s entering a contract year in 2021 as well and will have to compete to keep the starting job.

Veteran guard JR Sweezy is slated for free agency in 2021.

The Cardinals could look to some more one-year stopgaps in free agency, but they would be wise to take advantage of the 2021 NFL Draft class which is pretty loaded on the offensive line.

There may not be five or six blue-chip type of tackle prospects like there were in 2020, but there is really good depth and plenty of players who could be had on day two that could start day one.