2020 Cardinals player grades: Tight end
The Arizona Cardinals went through many ups and downs last season, and at their peak looked like one of the most formidable teams in the league. To get to where they were this season just two years removed from having the worst record in the NFL, they had to go through a lot of roster turnover.
In the fourth part of this series, we will be looking back at each tight end who recorded a snap for Arizona this season and grade their performance.
2020 Grade: B
Arnold was the embodiment of what the team as a whole were this year, inconsistent. The second-year Cardinal made strides in his game but was still limited to a strictly receiving role. He never surpassed 100 receiving yards in a game but was still a nice secondary target for Kyler Murray across the middle. He averaged 14.1 yards a catch and was a consistent mismatch when on the field, but still left a lot to be desired in his production after the catch. The soon-to-be free agent will likely return to Arizona in 2021 with only two TEs currently signed, but will look to improve his game in the offseason.
2020 Grade: B
Williams has established a reputation as an elite blocking TE throughout his career and continued that role in the limited time he saw in 2020. He didn’t gain much yardage through the air in his second season with the team, but made enough explosive plays throughout the season to keep defenses on their toes. He only played in nine games but provides a significant advantage to the running game and has been known to be a key player in several zone run schemes. He is one of the two tight ends currently signed to the team next year and the only one to take a snap in 2019.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
2020 Grade: B-
When Williams went down after Week 1, Daniels was called upon to take his spot as the team's primary blocking tight end. He only recorded 92 receiving yards in his 12 games but provided solid blocking. Daniels is also a free agent.
AP Photo/Brian Blanco
2020 Grade : D
Thomas, who also appeared had short stints in Houston and New England, only recorded one catch for 3 yards and a touchdown in his time in Arizona while bouncing between the practice squad and active roster. He is currently a free agent.
Evan Baylis
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
2020 Grade: D
Baylis, who was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Texans in 2017, continued his cycle of bouncing around teams and practice squads as a special teams player this year in Arizona. He appeared in five games but didn’t register a catch.
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2020 Grade: D
Another rotational special teams player, DeValve played in 48 snaps with the Cardinals in 2020, never recording a catch. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire's Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify. Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
1
1
