ARIZONA CARDINALS

Football Outsiders: Cardinals’ biggest remaining hole is TE

May 6, 2016, 10:28 AM

Arizona Cardinals' Darren Fells reacts during the second half the NFL football NFC Championship gam...

Arizona Cardinals' Darren Fells reacts during the second half the NFL football NFC Championship game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

A look up and down the Arizona Cardinals’ roster would reveal a pretty loaded team.

There are Pro Bowl performers at nearly every position on both offense and defense, along with a good amount of depth, too.

However, that does not mean the roster still cannot be improved.

Over at ESPN.com, the Football Outsiders folks put together a list of the biggest remaining hole for each of the NFL’s 32 teams, and their choice for the Cardinals may come as a bit of a surprise.

Tight end

It was not a strong draft or free-agency period for tight ends. Regardless, coach Bruce Arians loves his wide receivers, and thankfully Arizona has one of the best trios with Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd. However, if this offense were missing another dimension, it would be a prolific pass-catching tight end. Troy Niklas, a second-round pick in 2014, has simply not worked out, leaving the team to roll again with Jermaine Gresham and Darren Fells. The two combined for only 39 catches in 2015, but Fells did rank third in DVOA compared to 38th for the slower Gresham.

It’s an interesting position to choose because, as we’ve all seen, Arians’ offense does not normally feature the tight end. Even if it did, while the Cardinals don’t have a star at the position, their group that includes a now-healthy Gresham, Fells, Niklas and Ifeanyi Momah, who is recovering from a torn ACL, offers an intriguing mix of size and speed.

However, the point seems to be that an impact tight end would make Arizona’s excellent offense even better, and of that there is little doubt.

 

 

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

7 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

15 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

19 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

3 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Football Outsiders: Cardinals’ biggest remaining hole is TE