Updated March 14, 2026, 9:05 p.m. MT
The first week of NFL free agency is basically in the books. The Arizona Cardinals have been active, although they have not made any real significant moves like last offseason. It is time to start grading their initial moves.
We don’t know how they will actually work out, as the season is still months away, but based on need, fit and value, we can give initial grades.
Let’s look at offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson.
Grading the Cardinals’ signing of Elijah Wilkinson
Grade: Depends – C-D+
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The terms of his deal came in. He gets $6.25 million over two seasons with $3.08 million fully guaranteed.
How this deal grades out depends entirely on what the plan is for him.
He started all 17 games last season at right tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. If he is the plan for the Cardinals to start at right tackle, it’s barely passable. The only thing he is better at than Jonah Williams is being healthy. Granted, that is an important trait.
However, he does offer versatility. He gives the Cardinals barely serviceable play for right tackle. If they draft a tackle high, he could play right guard, and that is not terrible, especially for the price. And if he is simply depth, it is fine.
But adding depth without addressing the starting lineup isn’t ideal.
So if he ends up playing guard, it’s a solid C. If he is their plan at right tackle, it’s more like a D-plus.
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