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Arizona Cardinals: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

By Russell S. Baxter

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Josh Rosen (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Josh Rosen (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Justin Pugh #67 of the New York Giants s enters the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles their game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Justin Pugh #67 of the New York Giants s enters the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles their game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

5. Justin Pugh, G (from New York Giants)

If you were scheduled to be a starting offensive lineman for the New York Giants as the beginning of this past season, chances are you didn’t get to see a lot of playing time. That’s because Big Blue could have easily been referred to as “Big Black and Blue,” especially when it came to the group up front.

Injuries were a big factor on the line and it had a big effect on the team’s ability to protect quarterback Eli Manning and their attempts to pave the way for the running game. One of those starters that missed substantial time was guard Justin Pugh. A first-round selection back in 2013, he has seen starting duty at both tackle and guard during his five-year career. But the one-time University of Syracuse standout was limited to only eight games and starts in 2017 and eventually finished the year on injured reserve.

Still, the Cards opted to sign him to a five-year, $45.025 million deal (figures via Spotrac) and is expected to line up at right guard. He’s now part of a revamped offensive front in Arizona that must develop some continuity.

“We know what we have to do,” said Pugh to Craig Morgan of ArizonaSports.com earlier this year. “We’ve just got to figure out what we are going to call it and get used to where we’re stepping so we’re not stepping on each other’s feet. It’s kind of learning that dance so we’re not messing each other up.

“Every coach has a different way they want it. I’m coming from New York, Andre (Smith) is coming from Cincinnati, A.Q.’s (Shipley) been here, but with a different coach so we’re all learning this new thing together. The quicker we can get that jelled and that camaraderie, the more successful we’ll be on the field.”

Next: No. 4

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