Arizona Cardinals Select TE Troy Niklas in Second Round

Nov 2, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Troy Niklas (85) catches a pass for a first down in front of Navy Midshipmen linebacker Cody Peterson (53) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-34. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

With the 52nd pick of the 2014 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals select tight end Troy Niklas, Notre Dame.   At some point, the Cards were going to address this position.  They did it here in the second-round.

Niklas has outstanding size for a tight end.  He is known to be very physical.  He is the blocking tight end Cards head coach Bruce Arians has been looking for.  His biggest issues are running complete routes and creating separation from his defenders.  Not the quickest of tight ends but he does have good hands according to scouts.

From all indications from experts he is still considered a decent target but will be known for his blocking.  I even read one analysis stating he could end up being one of the best blocking tight ends the game has seen.  We’ll see.  He had 32 catches for 498 yards with five touchdowns in 2013.  Because of his areas of his game needing improvement he is considered a work in progress.