Longtime NFL offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. The monetary details of the deal are unknown at this time. Beachum, an SMU product, spent the 2019 season with the New York Jets.
.@AZCardinals add some depth to offensive line by signing vet tackle Kelvin Beachum:https://t.co/o7HKRySzuc
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) July 17, 2020
Kelvin Beachum Signs Deal With Arizona Cardinals
Despite abysmal offensive line play the last three seasons, the one player the New York Jets could rely on is veteran left tackle Kelvin Beachum. The 2019 season marked his third with the team as he remained arguably their best offensive lineman. He started 13 games, earning a 67.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Beachum’s pass blocking continues to be his strength as he will be 31 next season.
That being said, Beachum’s past injuries will be a concern as he ages. Although he only missed three games of his three-year Jets tenure, he has had his fair share of injuries before. Prior to his ankle injury in 2019, he has had concussions, knee injuries, and lingering knee problems from a torn ACL in 2015.
While Beachum has never been a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle, he has been a quality starter throughout his career. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a guard in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he quickly transitioned to tackle. By his second season, he was the Steelers starting left tackle until his ACL injury in 2015.
From there, the Steelers let him walk, to which he signed a four-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A deal that included an option following his first season. Beachum did start 15 games at left tackle for the Jaguars, yet struggled to a career-low 61.4 grade (PFF). The Jaguars did not pick up the option for the remainder of his contract as he hit the market in 2017. From there, he joined the Jets on a three-year deal. Beachum remains a great locker room presence and a starting-caliber tackle as he enters his ninth season in the NFL.
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