Have Cardinals Found Their Center of the Future?

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly found who they want to draft to replace Rodney Hudson at center.

We're not too far removed from when the Arizona Cardinals acquired Rodney Hudson. 

It was a move that was widely celebrated, and though things didn't ultimately pan out, it's a move the Cardinals would likely make again in a similar situation given his caliber and relatively low price tag then-GM Steve Keim snagged him for. 

Hudson only played a handful of games before hitting injured reserve in 2022 and never returning. Now, he's expected to hit retirement alongside defensive end J.J. Watt. 

The Cardinals initially entered free agency with 4/5 starters set to hit the open market. Hudson was scheduled to be a free agent alongside Will Hernandez, Justin Pugh and Kelvin Beachum. 

There was opportunity for the Cardinals to completely overhaul their trenches before Hernandez/Beachum returned to Arizona. While the jury is still out on Pugh getting the band back together, new general manager Monti Ossenfort is tasked with finding their starting center for not just 2023 but perhaps further. 

There's a handful of candidates that come to mind, but the Cardinals could potentially look to address the position beginning as early as the second round of 2023 NFL Draft. 

Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline says the Cardinals have their next center locked in: Ohio State's Luke Wypler.

"Several teams came away from Ohio State’s Pro Day with even more affection for center Luke Wypler — two in particular: the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals," Pauline said.

"I was told outright at the end of the pro day that the Cardinals will draft Wypler, and it makes sense. Presently, Hjalte Froholdt is listed as Arizona’s starting center — his fourth team since 2019. The Cardinals own a pair of picks in the third round and could use one to select the OSU center."

Wypler isn't the only interior lineman Arizona has done work on, as the Cardinals have also spoken with Minnesota OL John Michael Schmitz at the NFL Combine. 

The Draft Network recently gave Wypler a third-round grade on his scouting report. Schmitz is expected to go in the late first/early second round.

Either/or would be great in Arizona, though it seems as if the Cardinals might have narrowed their search to one. 

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