Arizona Cardinals interested in Jared Veldheer

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Jared Veldheer (68) during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

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On Saturday it was reported that the Miami Dolphins had reached out to Raiders left tackle Jared Veldheer’s agent on the first day of the NFL’s official tampering window before the March 11 beginning of free agency. On Sunday afternoon it is now being reported that another team that is looking to add a starting left tackle in order to make a playoff push in 2014 is now putting their name into the field of teams interested in Veldheer’s services along with the Raiders who are hoping to retain him.

The report comes from Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.

From Somers: 

"The Chiefs’ Branden Albert, one of the top left tackles in free agency, is expected to sign with the Dolphins on Tuesday, according to an NFL source.The Cardinals had expressed interest in Albert, but apparently have set their sights on a younger, cheaper alternative who might have more potential.The Cardinals have more interest in Raiders left tackle Jared Veldheer, who at 26, is three years younger than Albert.Albert’s deal is expected to average between $8 million and $10 million a year, more than it’s going to take to sign Veldheer.The Cardinals’ interest in Rams’ tackle/guard Rodger Saffold appears to have cooled, if it was ever that warm."

With Albert apparently being all but gone to Miami and Veldheer being next in line in the left tackle market it is likely that the Cardinals interest in Veldheer intensifies. It is also interesting to note that if Albert does sign for in between $8-10 million that the Raiders very likely could be able to match any offer that comes Veldheer’s way. A playoff caliber team like the Cardinals, and a former teammate in Carson Palmer at quarterback is definitely a contender in contract negotiations if the Cards are indeed interested in bringing in Veldheer from Oakland.

If Albert does leave the market early on March 11 it is a real possibility that Arizona and a lot of other teams will be continuing to attach themselves to Veldheer to help cure their pass blocking problems, something that doesn’t help Reggie McKenzie’s goals of retaining him.