Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; D.J. Humphries (Florida) is greeted by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals have selected left tackle D.J. Humphries with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Protecting 35-year old quarterback Carson Palmer is of the highest priority after losing him to injury last year. So this is a good pick that probably means current left tackle Jared Veldheer is on his way to the right side.
Humphries is an exceptional athlete at his size with good armlength and mirroring skills. He wasn’t ranked higher earlier in the draft season because of size questions but he answered those at the combine. To go with his ability, he has a nasty play demeanor with legitimate toughness to his game, playing through and past the whistle.
Humphries gets to second-level quickly and has the ability to catch up with moving linebackers in space in the running game. With the talent he has, I see no reason why he can’t go in and take the left tackle spot for the Cardinals right away. I see a lot of Pro Bowls in his future if he reaches his potential too.