Here is part II of this thought exercise I have done for many years, this one about the offense and predicting who will be in the starting lineup come September when the Cardinals open the regular season against the Bills in Buffalo. I know this at least, I'll have the QB right. Last year, I went with Colt McCoy, and he didn't even make the final roster.
Such is life. We will make a guess at the offensive lineup, and maybe it won't be this, but in my June-before-vacation-verse, this makes sense. To me, at least.
On Thursday, I posted my defensive picks.
Quarterback – Kyler Murray. Healthy. Happy. Has weapons. He has been set up to not only succeed but raise his game. The next steps are up to him.
Running back – James Conner. I have said it many times. If Jonathan Gannon could create the kind of player he wanted from scratch, Conner would be the result.
Wide receiver – Marvin Harrison Jr. Sure he's a rookie. Yes, he needs to earn his way. But this is your No. 1 receiver, and few doubt he'll handle that just fine.
Wide receiver – Michael Wilson. Sometimes, there is a guy who does everything right and you want to see him succeed. Wilson was good as a rookie. But he's aiming to show he's better than that -- and prove what T.J. Houshmandzadeh already thought.
Tight end – Trey McBride. Improvement is possible but it's hard not to see a star in progress.
Tight end – Tip Reiman. If this is a third receiver, it sure feels like Greg Dortch is getting support (K1, JG) from all the right places. But it makes sense to see a 2-TE offense to start, and if Reiman is the mauler everyone thinks he is, I could see the rookie getting those snaps early.
Right tackle – Jonah Williams. It is clear the Cardinals were seeking someone who could slide in as the right tackle and allow Paris Johnson Jr. to flip. Williams should be in the prime of his career, allowing the Cards to know they have a veteran presence at tackle and allowing young players (like draft pick Christian Jones) to develop.
Right guard – Will Hernandez. As we go, Hernandez seems to have entered the realm of underrated. And he's another guy who fits so well with what Gannon preaches.
Center – Hjalte Froholdt. Came in last season without much work ever as a center, and proved pretty good. His arrow is pointing up.
Left guard – Evan Brown. This may be the position in flux going into training camp but Brown has experience and the ability to play guard. When his teammates push both his athleticism and strength, it's a combination that makes sense at a position that never really got settled last season.
Left tackle – Paris Johnson Jr. After he was drafted sixth overall in 2023, it was assumed that -- at some point -- PJJ was going to be the left tackle. Now he's there, and should be for a long time.
