Rookie OL Josh Jones not in the mix for starting RT job
When the Arizona Cardinals selected offensive lineman Josh Jones in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, many believed he couple potentially be their Week 1 starter at right tackle even though he played only left tackle in college at Houston.
That will not be the case and appears it was never the case for his rookie season.
The team re-signed Marcus Gilbert, who would have been the starter if he had not opted out of the 2020 season.
While that could have potentially opened the door for Jones, he is not in the mix for the starting job. Two others are — veteran Kelvin Beachum and Justin Murray, last year’s starter for most of the season.
Offensive line coach Sean Kugler spoke to reporters after Monday’s practice and said Beachum, who has played left tackle for most of his career, “has responded very well and he’s been competing with Justin Murray at that position and the competition has brought out the best in both of them.”
Based on comments by Kugler, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim, it would appear that Murray is likely going to be coming off the bench, as they have talked about his versatility to play both tackle and guard. Beachum appears to be the leader to start at right tackle.
What about Jones?
“Josh Jones has really done a nice job for us,” Kugler said. “I think this kid is going to have an outstanding future for the Arizona Cardinals.”
Kugler didn’t mention how he would make an impact now. The team is pleased with what he has done.
“He’s very athletic,” Kugler added. “He’s a profession already. He’s very mature for a rookie as rfa as work ethic and retaining information, and putting in the work and studying. He has some things to work on in his game like everyone does, but he’s taken the right step as a rookie. I’ve been very pleased with him.”
Jones probably won’t see much action as a rookie unless there are injuries.
It might be disappointing to some that he isn’t slated to start as a rookie, but it sounds like he is right where the team would like him to be.
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