Pro Football Network named the Cardinals’ top position battle to watch in training camp. It might not be a big battle.

NFL training camps will open later this month and then every team will have a number of notable position battles to watch. Pro Football Network highlighted one position battle for every team to watch.

The Arizona Cardinals will have several battles to watch. But which one was highlighted?

Arizona Cardinals’ top position battle: Right guard

The Arizona Cardinals find themselves with an opening to fill at guard. After suffering a season-ending injury last year, incumbent starter Will Hernandez was not re-signed. Trystan Colon, who started in seven games in his absence, left for Detroit, too.

2024 third-round pick Isaiah Adams figures to be the front-runner for the starting right guard spot. Don’t anticipate that he gets handed the job right away, though. The Cardinals signed Royce Newman in free agency, and he has 24 career starts under his belt. Adams is the favorite, but Arizona could go with the more experienced Newman to begin the year.

This might not be much of a position battle. If the last two years under head coach Jonathan Gannon are anything to follow, the Cardinals like to have their starting offensive line set. In 2023, Elijah Wilkinson was established in offseason workouts at left guard and Hjalte Froholdt was the No. 1 center right away. Last year, Evan Brown stepped right in from Day 1, while Paris Johnson moved to left tackle and Jonah Williams took over at right tackle.

This offseason, Adams has been manning the first-team offense at right guard. While Newman’s starting experience gives the Cardinals and option should Adams get hurt or play poorly, but that position battle is likely mostly set.

Also, we should not eliminate the possibility of the Cardinals re-signing Will Hernandez, who remains unsigned as a free agent. If Adams struggles, Newman might not be the backup plan. It could be Hernandez.

So when the Cardinals open camp on July 22, keep an eye on the practice reps that Adams has with the first-team offense. If there isn’t much in the way of rotation, expect Adams to get the job.

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