The Arizona Cardinals seem to be in no man’s land as a franchise as of now. They have hired a rookie head coach, are in line to start a quarterback who has been a backup for most of his career and are playing in likely the toughest division in the NFL. Starting QB Jacoby Brissett has shown some promise in his career while new head coach Mike LaFleur has an offensive background and comes from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree. The personnel that the team has on the offensive side of things is also quite strong as well and the hope the team has to be a competitive potential playoff team in 2026 is if the offense can just be explosive. Here I will go into detail assessing the offensive line personnel of the team heading into the 2026 season.
Slated to start at left tackle is 2023 1st rounder Paris Johnson Jr who has shown a lot of promise in the NFL but has had his inconsistencies and concerns. Johnson Jr was taken very high draft in the draft with the sixth overall pick and although he has been very good thus far in the NFL, he has not quite lived up to that billing as of yet. Johnson Jr struggled as a rookie, grading in the below average range in terms of an overall offense grade among his peers according to Pro Football Focus. Johnson Jr then really improved the following two seasons ranking in the well above average department in that category in each of the next two seasons. However, Johnson Jr has not shown elite capabilities as of yet like the Cardinals hoped to get drafting him so high. Johnson Jr also struggled as a pass protector during the 2025 season, ranking below average among his peers in terms of pass blocking efficiency. Perhaps Johnson Jr can put it all together and take the next step as a player heading into his fourth NFL season now playing under an offensive minded head coach for the first time. Additionally, Johnson Jr has dealt with injuries in both seasons outside of his rookie year which likely affected his play. Johnson Jr has been very good thus far in the NFL, but he could take the leap to the great range in 2026 as he gains more experience, plays under an offensive minded head coach for the first time, and hopefully stays healthier. Arizona could have among the premier left tackles in the sport if he does improve in that regard.
2016 3rd rounder Isaac Seumalo is set to start at left guard for the Cardinals and is also a very strong NFL starter. Seumalo has graded in the well above average to elite range in terms of an overall offense grade among players at his position in nearly every season he has played in the NFL. Seumalo may not be a superstar guard but is the next closest thing for Arizona as he enters his first season playing for the Cardinals coming over from the Steelers and previously the Eagles.
Veteran Hjalte Froholdt is set to start at center for the Cardinals and has established himself as one of the better starting centers in the NFL. Froholdt, in every season outside of his essential rookie year has graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall offense grade among players at his position.
The Cardinals recently made a switch to their starting lineup in switching 2024 3rd rounder Isaiah Adams to the starting right guard spot instead of 2026 2nd rounder Chase Bisontis. Adams has struggled thus far in the NFL although showing some promise and improvement. Adams graded in the below average range in terms of an overall offense grade among his peers as a rookie but graded above average in terms of run blocking grade although struggling in pass protection. In year 2 in the NFL Adams again graded below average in totality among his peers, but this time showed proficiency in pass protection, ranking above average in terms of pass blocking efficiency, but now he struggled as a run blocker. Adams has yet to put together a full season of snaps in the NFL and now will play under an offensive minded head coach for the first time. Perhaps he can put it all together and become a quality starter as he gains more experience in the NFL now playing under the offensive minded LaFleur.
Starting right tackle Elijah Wilkinson is the current weak link in the Cardinals’ starting offensive line unit and is likely better suited as a backup. Wilkinson in six seasons has graded in the above average range among players at his position only once and has been a starter in the NFL for only season, where he struggled. Wilkinson is a quality backup and could perhaps transition to a reserve role at some point during this upcoming season.
From a depth standpoint on the offensive line, the Cardinals have some notable names that could provide the team with some depth and/or step into the starting lineup given some of the concerns that Arizona has in their starting unit as of now. The team drafted guard Chase Bisontis in the 2nd round of the 2026 draft, and he was listed as the starter for most of the offseason. While Matt Pryor is one of the best reserve offensive lineman in the NFL today, showing the ability to play like an above average starter at both guard and tackle. While 2025 6th rounder Hayden Conner looked very strong in about one games worth of snaps as a rookie.
Overall, the Cardinals have a strong offensive line that could end up being one of the premier units in the sport next season if young players improve and unproven/inconsistent players emerge and/or are on their A game. A breakdown of the Cardinals’ offensive line heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
Projected 2026 Cardinals’ Starting Offensive Line
LT – Paris Johnson Jr – B to B+ so far as 2023 6th overall pick, still improving
LG – Isaac Seumalo – B+
C – Hjalte Froholdt – B to B+
RG – Isaiah Adams – C+ so far as 2024 3rd rounder, still improving
RT – Elijah Wilkinson – C to C+, likely better suited in reserve role
Notable 2026 Cardinals’ Reserve Offensive Linemen
T/G – Matt Pryor – B to B-, has shown proficiency as both guard and tackle
G – Hayden Conner – B in 29 rookie snaps, 2025 6th rounder
