Veteran TE options that could still make sense for the Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals still need some depth in a few areas, and have cleared out the cap space to be able to do so. One of those areas of need is at tight end.
They might wait until after the NFL draft so that it won’t count against any compensatory picks, and most of the tight ends on the market are there for a reason, so it’s unlikely they would sign any to a long-term deal.
They ideally would need someone with a bit more receiving prowess than Maxx Williams, who is a phenomenal run blocker but has not produced many catches in his tenure with the team.
Here are some options out there still for the Cardinals to try.
Zach Ertz (via trade)
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This seems very unlikely for the Cardinals to pull this off, but the asking price may not be as high as you would think for a declining Ertz. PFF suggested Buffalo could trade a sixth-round pick for him earlier this offseason, and a Fansided blog quoted Tony Pauline of PFN as saying the Eagles wanted a third-round pick, but it may be they have to settle for a fifth. Arizona does have a fifth-round pick they could offer, and could risk hoping that Ertz will turn things around in the desert after a down 2020 year (36 catches for 335 yards and one touchdown in 11 games). However, the Colts may be the more interested team to reunite him with former Eagle Carson Wentz.
David Njoku (via trade)
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This would likely be even more unlikely, as the price would be steeper for the younger and likely miscast Cleveland Brown. One suggestion is that the Jets could flip first-rounders with the Browns in exchange for Njoku. Outside of flipping first-round picks in a deal for Njoku, it would likely require a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick outright for him, neither of which Arizona has right now. They might be asking too much for a player with 24 catches over the last two seasons, but Njoku is a former first-round pick. He would be a more ideal fit across from Maxx Williams as a move tight end, but the price might be too steep.
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Reed was once upon a time considered a weapon as a tight end, similar to the way Travis Kelce, Darren Waller and George Kittle are now. However, injuries have taken its toll on Reed, though he did have a decent year as a secondary option in San Francisco last year, as he had 26 catches for 241 yards and four touchdowns. Reed has the type of profile that would counter what Maxx Williams is, as he can line up in the slot as well as inline. He would also be the perfect candidate for a one year prove it deal. The biggest question is can he stay healthy.
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Staying with the same theme as Reed, with Tyler Eifert you always have to wonder what if he had stayed healthy. Eifert signed a one-year deal with Jacksonville last offseason and had 36 catches for 349 and two touchdowns, which would have been similar to what Dan Arnold provided (31-438). His fit is not quite as good as the three before him, but given the cap relief the Cardinals now have, a one-year deal would seem to be feasible for Eifert. He still might have the highest upside of any on this list (13 touchdowns in 2015), and may even be enticed by his old teammate, A.J. Green, to come join him in the desert.
Trey Burton
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After Philadelphia's Super Bowl run with Nick Foles, Burton, who complimented Zach Ertz well, was a hot commodity. He was signed by the Chicago Bears, and in 2018, rewarded them with 54 catches for 569 yards. However, he only played in eight games the following year, and only caught 14 passes. He then got a one-year deal with Indianapolis and had 28 catches in a crowded tight end room in only 13 games. Burton is a bit more limited in his upside it would seem than the others on this list, but again, a one-year deal wouldn't be a bad option. Plus, he could join ex-teammate Jordan Hicks in Phoenix. 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:
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