Arizona Cardinals: The Trevor Knight Affair
The Arizona Cardinals wasted no time signing Trevor Knight post-draft
The Arizona Cardinals need a replacement for Carson Palmer. Now taking it year-by-year, the veteran signal-caller could walk out of the NFL after any given season.
Despite knowing this, the Cardinals did not address the quarterback situation in the draft. Instead, they are looking at Blaine Gabbert (free agency) and UDFA Trevor Knight to compete with Stanton and Dysert for a backup role and a chance at becoming the quarterback of the future.
The only quarterback name of the roster that has not stepped onto an NFL field is undrafted rookie Trevor Knight, and perhaps he is the most intriguing of the four. A player that has been asked to change positions, Knight wishes to stay in the QB room, and the desert may be his best shot.
As soon as the draft concluded, the Cardinals wasted no time before making the long-awaited move for a quarterback. Though this quarterback, Knight, does not fit the ideal physical frame of what Arians wants in a signal caller, he does possess some traits.
Quarterback Trevor Knight finished his senior season in College Station passing for over 2,400 yards and 19 passing touchdowns compared to just 7 interceptions. He also tacked on 614 rushing yards and another 10 trips to paydirt. These look like solid numbers for a players first season in the SEC after playing three in the BIG XII, but one thing held him back: his completion percentage.
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During his college season he completed 55.5% of his passes and only 53% as a senior. These both fall well short of the desired 60% for quarterbacks, and it is likely the reason for him going undrafted.
Even though he posted a low completion percentage, he still managed an efficient 124.2 pass rating while putting up a 40% completion percentage on deep throws at Texas A&M, ranking in the top 15 in the NCAA.
Knight also threw over 60% from intermediate ranges while at Oklahoma as well as having one of the quickest releases in the nation. These stats back up what I saw for myself while watching Knight’s game film: he is not inaccurate, he is inconsistent.
Knight’s deep throwing prowess and quick release falls right in line with Arians’ desired play style, and he also has the toughness. After leading A&M to #5 in the nation, Knight injured his shoulder and looked like he would be out for the season. Instead he returning just a couple weeks later to end the season on a high note.
If Trevor Knight can throw the ball more consistently, he can be the answer for the Cardinals.