Cardinals OT Jonah Williams named a potential free agency bust

The main focus for the Arizona Cardinals the past few seasons has been on improving the offense around franchise quarterback Kyler Murray . They’ve brought in a number of talented pass catchers to improve the weapons Murray has to throw to. They’ve made strides in improving the run game so the team is less dependent on Murray and the wide receivers. And they’ve attempted to improve the line in front of Murray to keep him upright.

Keeping Murray upright and healthy is of paramount importance if the Cardinals are going to be contenders in the NFC this season and beyond. Murray has been dinged up over the course of his young career, and the Cardinals have suffered for it. Arizona has drafted offensive tackles, and signed them in free agency to help boost the line. It’s one of those moves, however, that one NFL analyst sees potentially backfiring.

Bleacher Report analyst Kristopher Knox recently identified a handful of players from the most recent free agent class who have the potential to bust for their new teams. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle and free agent acquisition Jonah Williams is among those Knox singled out.

Knox is quick to point out that Williams was the third-ranked offensive tackle in Bleacher Reports’ free agency big-board, and that the Cardinals didn’t give Williams an exorbitant deal, just a two-year deal for $30 million . However, Knox points to Williams’ inconsistency as a reason for doubt how well the signing will work out for Arizona.

Williams “was a borderline disaster as Cincinnati’s left tackle”, Knox writes, but does mention that Williams played better when the Bengals moved him to the right side of the line. However, Williams was still not great there, either, accounting for eight sacks allowed and committing five penalties in 2023, per Pro Football Focus ’ tracking.

The Cardinals recently moved former right tackle Paris Johnson, Jr. to the left side of the line, and Williams figures to slot in as the team’s starting right tackle. Between Williams’ struggles and Johnson adjusting to a new position, the offensive line for the Cardinals has the potential to be a main point of struggle in 2024.