Arizona Cardinals could use insurance at wide receiver
By Jim Koch
Question marks surrounding the wide receivers group of the Arizona Cardinals have made it imperative that they seek help for it
It was just a year ago that the Arizona Cardinals were set at the wide receiver position. They had it all, size, speed, youth and experience. But things have changed.
Michael Floyd was having a bad year in 2016 before being slapped with a DUI, and then ultimately released. John Brown was hampered by sickle cell issues, which caused cramping and fatigue in his legs. Jaron Brown’s campaign ended in week seven after he suffered an ACL injury.
Future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald had a Pro Bowl year in ’16, but then thought long and hard about retiring. He will be back for this upcoming season, but word is that 2017 will almost definitely be his last.
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It’s for these reasons that the front office may want to consider reinforcements for the position. The draft is a possibility. General manager Steve Keim has found success in the past with John Brown in ’14 and J.J.Nelson in ’15.
Free agency is another road management could go down. Many of the top wideouts have already found homes, but a few remain.
Kamar Aiken, while not a household name, would be a solid addition. He’s been underused as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, but has flashed potential. The 6’2″, 215 pounder caught 75 balls for 944 yards and five touchdowns in 2015, his best campaign as a pro.
Considering the Cardinals’ willingness to bring back linebacker Karlos Dansby, how about another blast from the past? Anquan Boldin has been with three different clubs in the last five seasons, but has been a reliable contributor wherever he’s been. He averaged just 8.7 yards per catch last year with the Detroit Lions, but was able to find the end zone eight times.
Victor Cruz could be nearing the end, but Arizona may be able to squeeze another year out of the 30-year old. His production was low in 2016, when he tallied just 39 catches for 586 yards and one score. Nevertheless, he was able to remain healthy enough to play in 15 contests and averaged an impressive 15 yards per catch.
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Brian Quick is coming off of his best season in ’16 but remains homeless. The Appalachian State product produced 41 receptions for 564 yards (13.8 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. Quick has played his five NFL seasons with the St.Louis/Los Angeles Rams, so Arizona is aware of his ability.