
Troy Niklas could finally get a start to a promising career
Tight end is another position with big question marks going into the off-season. Jermaine Gresham and Darren Fells held it down in 2016, but both players are free agents. Ifeanyi Momah was next in receptions by a tight end, and he had two catches. The return of Troy Niklas would help.
A former second round draft pick, Niklas was expected to stabilize the tight end spot in Arizona for years. A lot of projection was involved in scouting him, since he was converted from defense, but his athletic profile made him an exciting prospect.
His professional career hasn’t gone the way he, or the Cardinals, would have liked. An injury shortened his rookie season, and though he played in all 16 games in 2015, he didn’t contribute much. This past season was again ended by injury. In three seasons, he has just eight receptions for 71 yards.
With Gresham and Fells both potentially gone, Niklas will get a shot. Even if one of them returns, they’ll need a second, solid player there. Niklas has talent, but hasn’t been able to show it so far. He might be able to do so in 2017.