INDIANAPOLIS – When Monti Ossenfort first arrived as GM of the Cardinals, he owned the No. 3 overall pick and ultimately spent his initial first-round draft pick on tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
There were a couple of trades in there, and Johnson went sixth overall. But three drafts later, Ossenfort again owns the No. 3 pick overall, and again, he could end up with a tackle as his first-round pick.
"Finding someone opposite Paris Johnson Jr is a pretty important need for this team," ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller said.
The names floating around the top of the draft, at least at the NFL Scouting Combine, have been consistent throughout: Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa and Utah tackle Spencer Fano. Whether either (or both) make sense as a top three pick is what Ossenfort has to decide by the time April arrives.
The Cardinals have questions all along the line. Johnson is locked in at left tackle. Hjalte Froholdt will be the center. But both guard spots are likely open for potential upgrades, and right tackle is a significant need with Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum headed to free agency.
Pieces are needed and are expected to come both in the draft and free agency, but how high in the draft and how much money spent in free agency is in question.
Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur understands the idea of drafting key offensive linemen high. But he also just came from a Rams offense that had an excellent offensive line – but one that featured two second-round picks, a one-time fourth-round pick, and two guys who weren't drafted.
"I thought in L.A. we had one of the better offensive lines I had ever been a part of and they stayed healthy and were coached really well," LaFleur said. "I thought they bought into stuff, and by the way they were really talented. Built organically a little bit. There are so many factors how you use those resources."
The Cardinals need a guard, but top guard Olaivavega Ioane of Penn State won't be a top 5 pick and he'll be gone by mid-first round. Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon is a potential second-round pick.
Barring a trade down – or even with one – the Cardinals figure to choose between Mauigoa and Fano at 3 if they take an offensive lineman.
"This tackle class does not have a Joe Alt- or Rashawn Slater-caliber of a guy we typically see go in those first picks," ESPN draft analyst Benjamin Solak said. "To me, that dude is not there in this class.
"If you are going tackle early, I'd like to move back before I do it."
That's exactly how Ossenfort's first draft played out, trading from 3 to 12 and back to 6, to get Johnson.
But there might not be many suitors to trade up this year, given the lack of quarterbacks to take. If there was a quarterback to take, the Cardinals would likely be looking there anyway and not necessarily at an offensive lineman.
In this case, the tackles – both Fano and Mauigoa project to the right side and played there in college – do make sense.
Fano doesn't necessarily have the bulk as some tackles, listed at 302 pounds on a 6-foot-6 frame, but his athleticism is evident. Mauigoa, at 6-6 and 335, is powerful and had a "flawless" season for the Hurricanes, Miller said.
"Mauigoa is my No. 5 overall player, so … premium position, solidify your offensive line," Miller said. "If there isn't a quarterback there, why not build the foundation for one? That's an argument you're going to hear a lot this year: Set the table for when you do get that quarterback."
