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

3. Andre Smith, T (from Cincinnati Bengals)

He came into this league in 2009 with fairly expectations. Yes, there were some bumps along the way at the University of Alabama when it came to tackle Andre Smith. But the Cincinnati Bengals still opted to make him the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft nine years ago. That erratic tendency followed him to the NFL and he’s had an uneven career to date as well.

He spent his first seven seasons in the Queen City and while he had his good moments there were certainly some shaky ones as well. He opted to leave via free agency in 2016 and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. But he was one and done with the Purple Gang and opted for a return to the Bengals in ‘17. He played in 13 contests for Marvin Lewis’ team and made eight starts.

His nine-year career includes 99 regular-season games and 85 starts — primarily at right tackle. And yes, the Arizona Cardinals have a whole at the position after dealing veteran Jared Veldheer to the Denver Broncos earlier this year.

Is Smith long-term solution for this club up front? And can he be a positive influence on 2015 first-round disappointment D.J. Humphries? It’s safe to say everyone will be taking a wait-and-see attitude. But one thing is very certain: The Cardinals needed help at the tackle spots after this club allowed a disappointing 52 sacks this past year.

Next: No. 2