Mike Iupati Plans To Sign With Arizona Cardinals
The offensive line of the Arizona Cardinals line was a drastic improvement in 2014. It’s about to get that much better.
Free agent guard Mike Iupati, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, plans to sign with the Cardinals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
49ers free-agent G Mike Iupati has told people he plans to sign with the Arizona Cardinals, per sources. Iupati vs. SF DT Darnell Dockett.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2015
This is obviously a huge sign for the Cardinals. Not only is he a big addition, but the Cardinals also take him away from a division rival.
Drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft by the 49ers, the 27-year-old has been one of the better guards in all of football in his first five seasons. Iupati has already made three Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro back in 2012.
In case you needed to know how good Iupati is, here’s a tweet to help remind you.
Iupati had 2nd-best run-blocking grade last year among G (+18.5), though he struggled in pass protection, per @PFF. +11.2 overall grade.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) March 9, 2015
Improving the interior of the line was a need for this team considering the division they play in.
The Rams might have the best defensive line in the game, the Niners now have Darnell Dockett and the Seahawks are always a handful. The Cardinals run game was also pretty poor in 2014 as well, so Iupati will be a tremendous help in both those areas.
Adding Iupati into the fold should bring some changes to the Cardinals o-line.
Jonathan Cooper, who has battled all sorts of injuries for his first two seasons in the league, will likely be moved to right guard. Ted Larsen can play both guard positions and even center if the club decides to cut Lyle Sendlein for cap relief.
Cutting Sendlein could be a real possibility after this move.
Don’t look for the Cardinals to be finished with their free agent signings though. With Sean Weatherspoon and now Iupati on the roster, this team still needs a pass rusher on the outside and they are said to be in on a couple of guys, including Brian Orakpo.
Stay with HeatWaved as we cover all of your Cardinals free agency news. This is only the beginning of what is expected to be a very exciting offseason.