Arizona Cardinals Predicted to Sign Free Agent Offensive Tackle

The Arizona Cardinals have a difficult offseason to navigate. While the quarterback situation should come first in any decision general manager Monti Ossenfort makes, the offensive line is a huge issue as well.

The Cardinals gave up 59 sacks in 2025, the fifth most in the NFL. In addition, tackles Kelvin Beachum and Jonah Williams will enter free agency, leaving a hole at right tackle. 

While Paris Johnson Jr. will hold down the fort on the blind side, right tackle has to be filled this offseason.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz lists Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith as a potential signing for Arizona.

What Would Smith Bring to the Arizona Cardinals?

Schatz states that the Cardinals have the “biggest need for a right tackle.”

Smith would be an excellent signing to satisfy that need.

A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Smith has played 107 games across eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He has mostly played right tackle in his time with the Colts.

He brings a strong presence to any offensive line. Smith hasn’t been a pro-bowler, but has been a steady hand on the Colts.

Schatz notes that even an average blocker on the right side would be better than what the Cardinals had in 2025.

“Both Williams and Beachum were low in pass-block win rate last season,” Schatz wrote.

Smith was 34th out of 68 qualifying players in pass block win rate (90.6%), per PFF.

While his pass blocking grade was 71.9 (36th out of 89 tackles), his run blocking was well below-average at 58.0 (64th)

His run blocking was an interesting falloff, given that he was second among 84 tackles in 2023 for run blocking. Even in 2024, it was 20th out of 81 tackles.

He played 766 snaps in 13 games last season, missing the Colts’ final four games after suffering a concussion. In fact, injuries have been a somewhat common theme in his career, with him missing 26 games total.

The Cardinals, barring any cuts, trades or restructures, will be entering free agency with $31.6 million.

According to Spotrac, Smith’s market value is $13.5 million per year, which should be a reasonable amount.

What Would Smith’s Fit be in the Desert?

Smith would immediately slot in at right tackle opposite Johnson. The Cardinals’ offensive line struggled to stay healthy in 2025. Center Hjalte Froholdt and guard Isaiah Adams were the only starters to play all 17 games.

With Smith struggling to stay healthy for much of his career as well, the Cardinals can ill afford for him to get hurt. Entering his age-30 season, Smith might not be the best fit for a rebuilding team.

While he could help the team, it might be better for Arizona to select an offensive lineman early in the draft.

Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano have been mocked to Arizona in the Arizona Sports’ NFL mock draft tracker.

While edge rusher is the more plentiful position of blue-chip prospects in the draft, drafting an offensive lineman would change the trajectory of this team.

The Cardinals need an offensive lineman going into 2026, but fans will soon see whether they go through free agency or the draft.

 

Matthew Singer Matthew Singer is a sports reporter covering MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2025, and has two years of experience covering local professional, collegiate and high school sports, including writing for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS. More about Matthew Singer