Arizona Cardinals bolster offensive line in 2nd round. What's the grade?

Bisontis was widely seen as the second-best interior offensive line prospect in this class, behind Vega Ioane, who was drafted 14th overall by Baltimore. He has an average frame for the position, but stands out with both his quickness and strength. At the NFL combine, he tested in the 94th percentile in the 40-yard dash and the 74th percentile in the bench press. His testing was also excellent in the vertical jump, broad jump and three-cone drill.

Those traits show up on film, as well. Evaluators view Bisontis as an excellent athlete who is able to move defensive players out of rushing lanes with ease.

“You want guys that can move,” Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said. “… Particularly in the run game, (that) can get connected at the second level. He's powerful enough to reach and anchor and he also has the ability to get to the second level and latch and drive.”

And in the passing game, Bisontis’ numbers speak for themselves. Over the past two seasons, he has allowed just two sacks and 22 pressures on 721 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

“I'm a mean, nasty, tough football player,” Bisontis said. “Smart football player that can understand defenses and make you pay.”

As a prospect, Bisontis’s clearest weakness is his arm length, at just 31¾ inches — ranking in the 13th percentile at the position. On occasion, that has enabled defensive linemen to attack his chest, like against Miami, when he allowed four pressures and a sack.

That element of Bisontis’ profile is likely what pushed him into the second round, a tier below Ioane. Still, he should slot immediately into a starting spot on the Cardinals’ offensive line.

The question may be whether Bisontis starts on the left or right side of the line. Isaac Seumalo is entrenched at one guard spot, and has played the vast majority of his career snaps on the left side — which is also where Bisontis played for his final two college seasons. But Bisontis began his career at right tackle, which he believes would prepare him for a move to right guard.

“I can put my right or left hand in,” Bisontis said. “… I can do anything.”

The Cardinals also have guards Isaiah Adams and Jon Gaines II on the roster, both of whom showed some encouraging flashes late last season — although Adams struggled mightily earlier in the year. Now, both players will likely become depth pieces, at least once Bisontis grows accustomed to the NFL level.

With this reinforcement, the Cardinals only have one glaring weakness remaining on their offensive line. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and center Hjalte Froholdt are both above-average starters, but right tackle remains a significant question mark. Journeyman Elijah Wilkinson currently figures to have the inside track to that role, but he has spent most of his career as a backup — not a key piece of a starting unit.

“Whenever we can add size, physicality, toughness, competition, we've seen what happens when attrition in the NFL season happens,” general manager Monti Ossenfort said. “So whenever we can add big, physical players up front, we're always gonna take advantage of doing that.”

Grade: A

Taking an interior offensive lineman will never sell jerseys or reset the news cycle, as the Cardinals did with running back Jeremiyah Love in the first round. But this pick is exactly what the Cardinals needed to continue building the foundation.