Cardinals Sign Falcons Ex Elijah Wilkinson; What's Next at LG?

The Arizona Cardinals have signed Elijah Wilkinson, who started nine games at left guard for the Atlanta Falcons last season.

The Atlanta Falcons' offensive line took a noticeable step forward last season - but will now be tasked with finding a replacement inside.

Per the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals have signed Elijah Wilkinson, who started all nine Falcons games in which he played this past season, his first in Atlanta.

Wilkinson, who recently visited with the Dallas Cowboys, met with the Cardinals on Tuesday and ultimately walked away with a contract.

But where does it leave the Falcons?

As a result of injuries, Atlanta had to start four different players at left guard in 2022, with Wilkinson getting the Week 1 nod and rolling with the first team when healthy; he missed one game due to a personal matter and eight others as a result of injuries.

In his place, the Falcons turned to Matt Hennessy, Chuma Edoga and Colby Gossett, with only Hennessy currently slated to return in 2023.

Atlanta also has 2021 starter Jalen Mayfield, a former third-round pick, and Justin Shaffer, a 2022 sixth-round pick who spent last season on the practice squad.

The Falcons could, theoretically, stay in-house ... but they've been involved in the left guard market, including taking a look at former Denver Broncos starter Dalton Risner.

Further, Atlanta has an opportunity to address the position during the draft, as Northwestern's Peter Skoronski, a potential top-10 pick, has been projected by some to make the transition from tackle to guard as a professional.

It's highly likely the Falcons will keep adding at left guard - the question becomes whether it's in the draft or free agency, and with whom.

But one thing is now for certain - it won't be Wilkinson.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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