Arizona Cardinals Ranked as Weakest Tight End Group

By Dan Schmelzer | Jun 4, 2015

As is typical with a Bruce Arians’ offense, the Arizona Cardinals’ passing game focuses on the vertical attack mostly using their outside receivers. Led by Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown, the Cardinals have a nice group of receivers that can succeed in Arians’ offense.

The tight end position is an unimportant part of Arians’ offense, as is showed by their hesitance to use the position last season. The Cardinals’ tight ends combined to total only 50 catches for 588 yards and one touchdown in 2014, with veteran John Carlson the main producer for the Cardinals’ at the TE position, accounting for 33 of those receptions, 350 yards and the lone touchdown.

October 19, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end John Carlson (89) runs with the football during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Carlson decided to retire this off season, leaving the Cardinals with a hole at a position they already struggled with. In fact, Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com considers the Cardinals’ tight end group to be the worst in the entire NFL.

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That is probably a fair assessment. The Cardinals not only basically ignore their tight ends in the passing game, but their top guy from last season is gone.

The most natural replacement for Carlson is Troy Niklas, a tight end who the Cardinals drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Niklas played in only seven games last season, and totaling only three receptions for 38 yards all season long.

It is impossible to take much from Niklas’ rookie season, there simply was not enough of a sample size, but he is still a very talented player who could make an impact for the Cardinals.

At 6-foot-7, 270 pounds, Niklas is big and long player who could easily become a match-up nightmare. He is a very physical player who excels in run blocking for the tight end position. He also uses his size and aggressiveness very well as a receiver, consistently plucking the ball out of the air.

Niklas has the size and ability to be a dominant run blocker from the tight end position, and a valuable red zone option as a receiver. Arians’ offensive scheme will make it unlikely for him to ever become a superstar with the Cardinals, but he certainly has the talent to be a productive player.

Daniel Fells returns for another season with the Cardinals, and he is expected to be Niklas’ primary back-up. Fells is a nice solid veteran tight end who is a good blocker and decent receiver. Not much upside here, but Fells is a nice player to have around.

If it is upside you want, look no further than Ifeanyi Momah, who the Cardinals signed as a free agent this off season. The 6-foot-7 Momah caught the eye of Cardinals’ scouts at the veteran combine, and he is making the transition to tight end from wide receiver. While his skills are very raw, he has enormous upside at the position.

Jun 1, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end

Darren Fells

(right) and Ifeanyi Momah (80) during practice at organized training activities at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Momah making a smooth transition is far from a sure thing, but he has the skills to become a dangerous weapon for the Cardinals in the passing game.

There certainly is not a lot of proven talent at the TE position for the Cardinals, but between Niklas and Momah there sure is a lot of upside. Right now, it is fair to suggest the Cardinals have the worst TE group in the league, but do not be surprised if they turn it around quickly.

Next: 5 Cardinals Primed to Breakout in 2015

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