2014 Free Agent Profile: Jared Veldheer
By: Matt Harmon
March 13, 2014
Backyard Banter free agent breakdown tier:
Good starter
How he fits with the Cardinals:
When was the last time the Arizona Cardinals didn’t have a tenuous left tackle situation? It had to be some time before Levi Brown was drafted fifth overall in 2007. With the addition of Jared Veldheer, they finally have a legitimate solution.
Veldheer immediately becomes the most talented—outside of maybe Jonathan Cooper—offensive linemen in Arizona, and the starting left tackle.
The great part about signing Veldheer is that he will be an upgrade in more than one aspect of the game. He has the quick feet to protect Carson Palmer’s blindside, but also the size and power to open up lanes for Andre Ellington. Veldheer’s agile style of play will also be a plus in the screen game for Ellington out of the backfield.
Head coach, Bruce Arians, believes that Carson Palmer can play as well as any quarterback if he is given time to throw. While that is certainly a hyperbole, you can see where Arians is coming from. Palmer was better than expected last season behind a makeshift offensive line. The veteran quarterback should feel much better with Jared Veldheer at his back instead of Bradley Sowell.
This signing is an example of a perfect free agent marriage. The Cardinals get a young talented player to fill a dire need for them.
What he leaves behind with the Raiders:
It seems unfathomable that Oakland, a team with almost limitless amounts of cash to spend, was not able to keep one of their best young players. The Raiders have struggled mightily to develop their own homegrown talent over the last decade. Veldheer was one of their few success stories, yet they allowed him to walk out the door.
The Raiders, as always, have massive offensive line issues. After one year in the league, Menelik Watson is still unproven at best, and as raw as they come. The Raiders have taken to signing a few midlevel free agents, such as Austin Howard and Rodger Saffold. Howard is a decent starter, but a right tackle only, and the Saffold deal famously fell through.
The team had to overpay just to entice these guys to entertain the idea of playing for the Raiders.
There is no getting around the fact that the Raiders got worse by letting Veldheer walk away in free agency. Even if he took less money by going to another team,
Oakland should have done everything in their power to keep him. It was just a bad move by this moribund franchise.
Contract Analysis:
March 13, 2014
Backyard Banter free agent breakdown tier:
Good starter
How he fits with the Cardinals:
When was the last time the Arizona Cardinals didn’t have a tenuous left tackle situation? It had to be some time before Levi Brown was drafted fifth overall in 2007. With the addition of Jared Veldheer, they finally have a legitimate solution.
Veldheer immediately becomes the most talented—outside of maybe Jonathan Cooper—offensive linemen in Arizona, and the starting left tackle.
The great part about signing Veldheer is that he will be an upgrade in more than one aspect of the game. He has the quick feet to protect Carson Palmer’s blindside, but also the size and power to open up lanes for Andre Ellington. Veldheer’s agile style of play will also be a plus in the screen game for Ellington out of the backfield.
Head coach, Bruce Arians, believes that Carson Palmer can play as well as any quarterback if he is given time to throw. While that is certainly a hyperbole, you can see where Arians is coming from. Palmer was better than expected last season behind a makeshift offensive line. The veteran quarterback should feel much better with Jared Veldheer at his back instead of Bradley Sowell.
This signing is an example of a perfect free agent marriage. The Cardinals get a young talented player to fill a dire need for them.
What he leaves behind with the Raiders:
It seems unfathomable that Oakland, a team with almost limitless amounts of cash to spend, was not able to keep one of their best young players. The Raiders have struggled mightily to develop their own homegrown talent over the last decade. Veldheer was one of their few success stories, yet they allowed him to walk out the door.
The Raiders, as always, have massive offensive line issues. After one year in the league, Menelik Watson is still unproven at best, and as raw as they come. The Raiders have taken to signing a few midlevel free agents, such as Austin Howard and Rodger Saffold. Howard is a decent starter, but a right tackle only, and the Saffold deal famously fell through.
The team had to overpay just to entice these guys to entertain the idea of playing for the Raiders.
There is no getting around the fact that the Raiders got worse by letting Veldheer walk away in free agency. Even if he took less money by going to another team,
Oakland should have done everything in their power to keep him. It was just a bad move by this moribund franchise.
Contract Analysis:
Don’t expect announcement from Arizona 2day MT @AdamSchefter: Raiders OT Jared Veldheer reached agreement on a 5yr, $35M deal with Cardinals
— Tyson Langland (@TysonNFL) March 11, 2014
Another great part about this deal for the Cardinals; paying Veldheer just over $7 million annually is a steal. The Cardinals got one of the best young tackles on the market at a serious discount price. Considering what Branden Albert made, this deal is quite a bargain.
In a shrewd move by general manager, Steve Kiem, the new left tackle’s cap hit will only be $2.5 million for this season (per overthecap.com). That low amount will allow the team to continue to sign other players to cheap short-term deals. Even throughout the life of the contract, Veldheer’s cap charge never rises above $9 million. Arizona needs all the help it can get in this department, as they are hamstrung by the Larry Fitzgerald contract.
For a guy who has been, and could continue to be, a top-tier left tackle, Veldheer sure didn’t get paid like one. He accepted a very team friendly deal to join the Cardinals.
Predicting 2014 production and beyond:
Veldheer will make the entire Arizona offense better. The quarterback will have more time to hit Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald down field, and running backs will find more space to run.
Don’t forget, this is an offensive lineman that at 6’8” once played center because he had such incredible athleticism. NFL teams are dying for this type of player to hold down the fort at left tackle.
Arizona got a proven, ascending offensive lineman at a massive discount. Veldheer will most likely play out the life of his five-year contract, and give the Cardinals more than acceptable left tackle play. This move is a perfect example of a home run on the first day of free agency.
In a shrewd move by general manager, Steve Kiem, the new left tackle’s cap hit will only be $2.5 million for this season (per overthecap.com). That low amount will allow the team to continue to sign other players to cheap short-term deals. Even throughout the life of the contract, Veldheer’s cap charge never rises above $9 million. Arizona needs all the help it can get in this department, as they are hamstrung by the Larry Fitzgerald contract.
For a guy who has been, and could continue to be, a top-tier left tackle, Veldheer sure didn’t get paid like one. He accepted a very team friendly deal to join the Cardinals.
Predicting 2014 production and beyond:
Veldheer will make the entire Arizona offense better. The quarterback will have more time to hit Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald down field, and running backs will find more space to run.
Don’t forget, this is an offensive lineman that at 6’8” once played center because he had such incredible athleticism. NFL teams are dying for this type of player to hold down the fort at left tackle.
Arizona got a proven, ascending offensive lineman at a massive discount. Veldheer will most likely play out the life of his five-year contract, and give the Cardinals more than acceptable left tackle play. This move is a perfect example of a home run on the first day of free agency.
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