ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals use seventh-round pick on Rutgers TE D.C. Jefferson

Apr 27, 2013, 9:51 PM | Updated: Apr 28, 2013, 7:24 am

Follow @AZSportsPresented By...

The Arizona Cardinals were primarily focused on the offensive side of the football in Saturday’s later rounds — a trend that continued with their final pick (No. 219) in the 2013 NFL Draft.

General manager Steve Keim used the the Cardinals’ seventh-round selection on Rutgers tight end D.C. Jefferson.

In four years at Rutgers, Jefferson, considered to be primarily a blocking tight end, caught 47 passes for 560 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 tight end recorded a career-high 20 catches and 168 receiving yards during his senior season.

D.C. was a nickname Jefferson was given growing up and stands for former NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper. The new Cardinals tight end was actually a quarterback coming out of high school in Winter Haven, Florida.

“When I step on the line as a tight end, I’m a quarterback in mindset,” Jefferson said. “I take control…and it’s do or die every time the ball is snapped.”

In addition to his versatility, it seems Jefferson also has a sense of humor. When asked by a member of the media during his conference call if he expected to be drafted, the Rutgers tight end responded confidently.

“I expected to be the first player taken in the first round,” said Jefferson. “But, it didn’t work out that way.”

Jefferson was briefly hospitalized back in February after suffering a pectoral injury during the bench press portion of the 2013 NFL Combine.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Steve Keim looks on...

Tyler Drake

Ex-Cardinals general manager Steve Keim ‘much happier now’ after rehab stint

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim opened up about his mysterious leave of absence and parting of ways from the team on Tuesday.

13 hours ago

Malik Nabers celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Prisco: Cardinals ‘should’ take Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr. in NFL Draft

CBS Sports draft analyst Pete Prisco believes LSU's Malik Nabers should be the Cardinals' pick at fourth overall in his latest mock draft.

16 hours ago

Chop Robinson runs the 4-=yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to Cardinals’ No. 27 pick?

A look at what NFL Draft analysts are thinking when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' second first-round pick.

19 hours ago

Josh Rosen poses with a Cardinals jersey after getting drafted...

Associated Press

NFL teams often misfire on drafting QBs. But how often do they fail? And why?

There is no guarantee in this highly calculated yet no-better-than-a-coin-flip exercise of finding a franchise quarterback in the NFL Draft.

21 hours ago

Zach Wilson, Jets quarterback...

Associated Press

Broncos trade for Jets’ Zach Wilson, could remain in QB market during 2024 NFL Draft

Zach Wilson was expected to be the face of the franchise for the New York Jets. Now he's been traded to the Denver Broncos.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals GM told rivals he won’t consider trading draft pick until on the clock

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort reportedly told rival executives he won't agree to a trade before he's on the clock in the NFL Draft.

2 days ago

Cardinals use seventh-round pick on Rutgers TE D.C. Jefferson