The Arizona Cardinals look to build on last season’s strong performance in pass protection and creating holes for the running backs in the running game. The team currently has four of the five starting offensive line positions filled in, with one vacancy remaining. The Cardinals will hold a right guard competition for the rest of the summer to replace Will Hernandez, who is a free agent, with a young prospect vying for the job.
Arizona Cardinals’ young guard became a starter later on
Isaiah Adams began his rookie season as the third-string guard but eventually became a starter. After Will Hernandez’s injury, the third-round pick turned into the second-stringer and started the final five games, replacing Trystan Colon. Adams was okay in pass protection and a better run blocker, allowing 18 pressures, two quarterback hits, and two sacks, posting a 50.3 pass-blocking grade, a 64.7 run-blocking grade, and a 58.4 PFF grade.
He will compete against former Green Bay Packer and Tampa Bay Buccaneer Royce Newman.
Arizona Cardinals’ 3rd-round pick favored at key starting spot
So far, Isaiah Adams has received first-team reps at right guard with the starting offense throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp. According to Darren Urban of the team’s website, the second-year interior offensive lineman is currently in the lead and the early favorite to replace Will Hernandez. After all, starting jobs aren’t won during spring workouts, but during training camp when they put the pads on.
“The conversation about the guard position has been a popular topic, and the Cardinals’ original starter at right guard last season, Will Hernandez, remains available as a free agent— although he is still rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered in Week 5. Adams, however, was a third-round pick in 2024, a choice high enough to hope he’d be ready to slide permanently into the role sooner rather than later,” Urban said.
“There are weeks to go and a whole training camp to play out, but it is Adams in pole position to get that chance.”
