Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals tight end Jim Dray (81) against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals use of the tight end position should be an interesting thing to watch in 2013. Since the team is not carrying any fullbacks, the tight ends will be relied on to do a lot of blocking and receiving. The problem is, who will step up?
Tight Ends: Jim Dray, Rob Housler, D.C. Jefferson, Kory Sperry, Jeff King (injured reserve)
Dray enters his fourth season in the NFL. He didn’t play particularly well in the preseason. He missed some very catchable passes. Housler is the assumed number one in this group but he too has been inconsistent. He dropped an easy touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers in preseason game number three. He also injured himself in the same game and is most likely going to be questionable at best headed into the opener against the St. Louis Rams.
Jefferson is a rookie from Rutgers. He is the most unknown of the group. It will be interesting to see how much playing time he gets when Housler is 100 percent. As for Sperry, he had a decent preseason. The fifth year veteran comes over from the Chargers. He is a reliable guy who can catch and run with the ball. He reminds me a lot of King. Unfortunately for King though, he had knee surgery on Friday and was placed on the injured reserve. There is a chance he can come back mid-season. He is in the last year of his contract.