The Sports Xchange

In a move to keep quarterback Carson Palmer healthy for a whole season, the Arizona Cardinals took Florida offensive tackle D.J. Humphries with the 24th overall pick, l1 places later than they rated him.

General manager Steve Keim believes that was a draft day steal that makes the Cardinals’ offense whole, and hopes to keep Palmer the same way after watching the team struggle to finish second in the tough NFC West after he was hurt last year.

From 2009 through 2012, the Cardinals drafted only one offensive lineman, Bobby Massie, earlier than the fifth round, and he was taken in the fourth in 2012.

In 2010 and 2011, they didn’t draft even one offensive lineman.

Keim committed to changing that when he came on board in 2012, vowing to put a premium on improving line play on both sides of the ball.

In the last three years, Keim took offensive linemen in the first round twice and his two most expensive free-agent acquisitions are also linemen — left tackle Jared Veldheer and left guard Mike Iupati.

“Listen, being here for 17 years, many of you know we’ve had a lot of lean years up front where our offensive line was a major weakness,” Keim said. “I talked about this two years ago, and the minute we hired Bruce (Arians), we wanted to emphasize getting bigger and more physical up front.”

Humphries will compete with Massie for the right tackle job. No matter who wins it, the oldest starting offensive lineman will be only 29.

“This is a group that can potentially be together for four to five years, who you can grow with,” Keim said. “Hopefully, (it) will evolve into one of the best lines in football. Again, going from where we were years ago, having one of the weaker units, to being one of the stronger units is a tremendous accomplishment.”

In the third round, the Cardinals drafted the big back they wanted, Northern Iowa’s David Johnson, a 6-foot, 224 pounder who is an excellent receiver.

“Coming out of high school, a lot of teams asked me to play receiver,” he said. “I was a little bit smaller. I did all my drills as a receiver for the first week and half, until I got a little bigger, and they moved me to running back.”

In the fourth round, the Cardinals traded two picks — from the sixth and seventh rounds — to move up seven spots and take Delaware State defensive end Rodney Gunter. The Cardinals were convinced a team just behind them, likely either the 49ers or Chiefs, was plotting to take Gunter.

Gunter played just one year of high school football. The oldest of three sons, he worked as a dishwasher and waiter to help the family make ends meet.

“I eventually played my senior year,” Gunter said. “I love the game so much, it was killing me that I was not playing football.”

Arians said receiver J.J. Nelson, a fifth-round pick, will be the fastest player he has ever coached. Nelson’s announced 40-yard dash time at the combine was 4.28 seconds. He was actually timed in 4.21 seconds on one of the official hand-held watches at Indianapolis.

A few years ago, Arians was at the Alabama State high school track meet to watch his granddaughter compete. He noticed a kid from Midfield High School was winning almost all the spring events.

“My son and I go, ‘who the hell is that?'” Arians said. “It just happened to be J.J. Nelson.”

The Cardinals’ newcomers will be together for the first time at this weekend’s rookie minicamp. Here is a closer look at the Cardinals as they head into the 2015 season:

2014 RECORD: 11-5, 2nd in NFC West

COACH: Bruce Arians

3rd season as Cardinals/NFL head coach

21-12 overall; 0-1 postseason

2015 CAMP SCHEDULE

Rookie minicamp: May 8-10

OTA dates: May 19-21, May 26-28, June 1-4

Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11

GRADING THE DRAFT — B plus

Per Rob Rang, NFLDraftScpout.com

After surrendering the division only after Carson Palmer tore his ACL, the Cardinals attempted to protect the heavy investment in the 35 year-old quarterback with the addition of D.J. Humphries, who some scouts feel will eventually prove the best tackle from this class. The Cardinals reinforced coach Bruce Arians’ aggressive offense with a powerfully and surprisingly athletic back in David Johnson, who offers excellent hands out of the backfield, as well as speedster J.J. Nelson, who was clocked at a combine-best 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Tough guy Markus Golden boosts Arizona’s edge rushing, though long-armed Shaq Riddick could ultimately prove the better player with further development.

SCOUTING ALL DRAFT PICKS

–Round 1/24 – D.J. Humphries, T, 6-5, 315, Florida

The Cardinals had Humphries rated 13th on their board of 130 players. He is only 21 so there is considerable room for growth. He played left tackle in college but will begin his pro career on the right side, competing with Bobby Massie for the starting job.

–Round 2/58 – Markus Golden, OLB, 6-2, 260, Missouri

The Cardinals love how hard Golden plays and believe he will help their pass rush. Golden will at least play in sub packages, possibly replacing Matt Shaughnessy. The Cardinals needed help at this position, and they’re hoping they added a pass rusher to go along with Alex Okafor. They traded down three spots, picking up a fifth-round pick in return.

–Round 3/86 – David Johnson, RB, 6-0, 224, Northern Iowa

The Cardinals filled another need with a big, physical runner who should help them in short-yardage situations. But Johnson also has decent speed (4.5 at the combine) and is an excellent receiver. He should be an effective complement to Andre Ellington.

–Round 4/116 – Rodney Gunter, DE, 6-5, 305, Delaware State

The Cardinals traded sixth- and seventh-round picks to move up seven spots to take Gunter. He could contend for a rotational spot at end in the base defense and moving inside in sub packages.

–Round 5/158 – Shaquille Riddick, OLB, 6-6, 244, West Virginia

The Cardinals continue to devote resources to solve a problem spot: rushing the passer off the edge. Riddick did it well at Virginia, transferring there after three years at Gardner-Webb. He graduated in three years, which allowed him to be immediately eligible. He could fit as a sub-package player if those pass-rush skills translate to a higher level.

–Round 5/159 – J.J. Nelson, WR, 5-10, 156, Alabama-Birmingham

A speedster, Nelson ran the 40 in 4.28 seconds at the combine. He will contend immediately for both returner jobs. The Cardinals are deep at receiver but Nelson could make it as the fifth.

–Round 7/256 – Gerald Christian, TE, 6-3, 244, Louisville

This year’s Mr. Irrelevant, the final choice of the entire draft, Christian could find a role with the Cardinals as a hybrid tight end/H-back. He had 60 receptions for 800 yards and nine touchdowns over the last two seasons, and is expected to be a willing participant on special teams.

NOTABLE VETERANS ACQUIRED:

–CB Alfonzo Dennard (waivers, Patriots).

–QB Chandler Harnish: FA; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–G Mike Iupati: UFA 49ers; $40M/5 yrs, $22M guaranteed/$6M SB.

–DT Corey Peters: UFA Falcons; $10.5M/3 yrs.

–DE Cory Redding: UFA Colts; $6M/2 yrs, $2M SB.

–C/G A.Q. Shipley: Not tendered as RFA by Colts; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Sean Weatherspoon: UFA Falcons: $3.58M/1 yr, $1.25M SB.

–LB LaMarr Woodley: FA Raiders; 1 yr, terms unknown.

NOTABLE PLAYERS LOST:

–OLB Sam Acho: UFA Bears; $825,000/1 yr, $80,000 SB.

–CB Antonio Cromartie: UFA Jets; $32M/4yrs.

–DT Darnell Dockett (released/failed physical).

–WR Ted Ginn Jr. (released).

–G Paul Fanaika: UFA Chiefs; $6.15M/3 yrs, $1.75M SB.

–LB Larry Foote (released).

–TE Rob Housler: UFA Browns; $1.76M/1 yr, $750,000 SB.

–C Lyle Sendlein (released).

–NT Dan Williams: UFA Raiders; $25M/4 yrs, $4M RB 2015/$15.2M

PRESEASON PEEK — Mark that calendar

All times Pacific/Mountain

Aug. 15: KANSAS CITY (Sat.), 6:00

Aug. 22: SAN DIEGO (Sat.), 7:00

Aug. 30: at Oakland (Sun.), 5:00

Sept. 3: at Denver (Thu.). 6:00