ProFootballFocus: Cardinals have 17th-best offensive line

The Arizona Cardinals have spent a considerable amount of money and resources in trying to build an effective offensive line.

In a lot of ways, they have succeeded.

This season, the Cardinals produced the NFL’s eighth-best rushing attack, with Arizona tallying 1,917 yards on the ground with an average of 4.2 yards per carry.

While doing that, the team also had the league’s second-best passing attack while giving up 27 sacks, which was tied for the fourth-fewest total in the league.

According to the folks over at ProFootballFocus.com, while the Cardinals have certainly made some gains along the offensive line, they still have work to do. In ranking all 32 offensive lines, Arizona came in at No. 17. The Cardinals finished last season at No. 24.

Pass-blocking rank: 28th

Run-blocking rank: 4th

Penalties rank: 8th

Stud: A big reason the team is much improved in the run game is that Mike Iupati came in and didn’t just hit the ground running, he hit everything in his path. He’ll allow some pressure, but he’s a difference-maker in the run game.

Dud: The other guard spot is a big problem, and Ted Larsen can’t realistically be viewed as the long-term answer, with Jonathan Cooper looking like a guy for whom injury might have derailed his career before he ever really got going.

Summary: It’s been a big jump for this unit, chiefly in the run game, where they really give their backs something to work with. Pass protection remains a problem—especially with everyone not named Jared Veldheer—but fortunately they have a quarterback in Carson Palmer who has really hid that weakness.

Of course, the Cardinals have struggled to run the football over their last two games, which is an issue they acknowledge needs to be fixed.

All that said, Arizona’s line will probably look a little different next season. Bobby Massie, the right tackle, is set to become a free agent, and this year’s first-round pick, D.J. Humphries, will likely be expected to compete for that role. As for Cooper, the third-year pro started in the early part of the season, but sustained an injury and then lost his starting job.

As the Cardinals look to advance to Super Bowl 50, it is also worth noting that of the three other teams left in the playoffs, only one — the Carolina Panthers at No. 2 —  has a higher-ranked offensive line than Arizona. The New England Patriots are 25th, while the Denver Broncos are tied for 20th.

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