Arizona Cardinals: Tight End Combine Evaluation

Nov 16, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Jace Amaro (22) cannot catch a pass while defended by Baylor Bears safety Terrell Burt (13) and defensive back Sam Holl (25) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

With the tight ends going first on day one of the NFL Scouting Combine, it gave the Arizona Cardinals a chance to look at one of their biggest offensive need positions.  Some interesting results came from the group of tight ends on Saturday.

Jace Amaro from Texas Tech, who some have the Cards looking at in the first round, ran a 4.74 40-yard dash.  It was not the best time though.  That belonged to A.C Leonard from Tennessee State at 4.50.  Amaro though was able to bench press 28 reps.  Only one other tight end was able to bench press more.  He had a top five vertical and top five broad jump performance amongst all tight ends.

Numbers at the combine are a nice to have but don’t tell the whole story.  You can say that about pretty much every position.  I think the story here with Amaro though is speed isn’t everything when it comes to tight ends.  Amaro’s speed wasn’t that bad to begin with and if you combine that with all the other intangibles, I’d have to say Amaro will go first amongst tight ends in the draft.

Whether the Cards are willing to spend a first round pick on Amaro, my guess would be probably not.  They have a great need on the offensive line and there are a good number of top players at that position.  What the good numbers on some of the tight ends show though is the Cards might be able to steal one in the second or third round.