With about a month left before training camp (already?!?), it's time to take a look at who I think the offensive starters will be come Sept. 10, when the Cardinals play the Lions in Detroit to begin the regular season. Could a training camp signing change things? Sure. I see more of a chance of that defensively than offensively.
My defensive thoughts are here. And after that, the blog posts will slow. Time off coming.
QB — Carson Palmer. You can't get anywhere without a quarterback. Palmer finished strong in 2016. He's a year older, yes, and no one is calling him a top-five QB. But he's still very good when the offense functions well, and when his receivers don't let him down.
RB — David Johnson. MVP-type player. Is he going to get 100 scrimmage yards every game? Maybe not, but he's certainly going to have the opportunity. With his skills, and health, I'm not ruling out a 1,000-1,000 season.
WR — Larry Fitzgerald. After Bruce Arians had said more than once Fitz's 100-catch days were behind him, Fitz has had two straight 100-catch seasons. Won't be surprised to see him do it again. The question will be, is this his last season?
WR — Smokey Brown. He says he's healthy. The Cards need him to be. Rookie Chad Williams may have an intriguing future, but this year, the Cardinals need the I-can-get-1,000-yards John Brown.
TE — Jermaine Gresham. So many have questioned his new large contract. But he's been the best tight end the Cards have had since he showed up, and he does deliver some intangibles on the field this team can use.
TE — Troy Niklas. It's a leap, yes, to assume Niklas will stay healthy. But every time, in the brief times, Niklas has been on the field, they like what he has brought. He's not going to be a big pass-catcher. But he can block and he'll play an important role — again, if he's on the field.
LT — D.J. Humphries. He's better suited for the left side. It's tough for Jared Veldheer, but given ages and the future, this was all but predetermined when Humphries was drafted.
LG — Mike Iupati. Wasn't as good in 2016 as he was in 2015, but I expect a rally. It's important too — given his salary going forward, his age and the drafting of Dorian Johnson, the spotlight will be bright.
C — A.Q. Shipley. Showed the Cardinals he could start in this league. No reason to think he won't again.
RG — Evan Boehm. I don't see Johnson jumping into this job. Not yet. This is probably the second-most likely spot Keim could grab a vet, behind only No. 2 cornerback. But as it stands, Boehm is probably going to be out there.
RT — Jared Veldheer. Veldheer didn't want to move from left to right tackle, but he did for the good of the team. Is there a transition to be made? Yes. Somehow, I don't have much concern that Veldheer will make it work successfully.
