Experienced wideout should be on Arizona Cardinals’ radar
By Jim Koch
A wide receiver that has been around the block a time or two would be beneficial to the Arizona Cardinals’ outlook for 2018
The wide receivers room of the Arizona Cardinals is looking quite different these days. The one mainstay, of course, is 15-year veteran Larry Fitzgerald. Despite his age of 34, the future Hall of Famer continues to produce at an incredibly high level.
Behind Fitzgerald on the Cards’ depth chart, however, are an array of moderately-experienced pass-catchers. Fourth-year player J.J. Nelson has a mere 13 career starts under his belt, the most of any other receiver on the roster. Newcomer Brice Butler has started only seven contests, while 2017 third-round draft pick Chad Williams has just one to his credit.
Free agent Dez Bryant is quite the opposite. The former Dallas Cowboy has appeared in 113 NFL games, and has gotten the start in 99 of them. Coincidentally, the charismatic 29-year old has been previously linked to the Cardinals, and would certainly be an intriguing compliment to the great Fitzgerald.
Another free agent who’s been mentioned as a possibility for Arizona is 31-year old Eric Decker. Drafted in the third round of the 2010 draft by the Denver Broncos, the 6’3″, 214 pounder has also spent time with the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans. Decker and Cards’ offensive coordinator Mike McCoy have familiarity with each other from their days together in Denver (2010-12).
Jeremy Maclin’s productivity has dwindled a bit during the past two seasons, but the 30-year old may still be viable. Various injuries have hindered the 2009 first-round pick’s career, but he’s reportedly healthy at the present time. Maclin has logged time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens during his nine years in the league.
If his off-the-field issues are behind him, perhaps an old friend could find himself back in the desert. Michael Floyd has been employed by both the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings since a DUI arrest ended his tenure with the Cardinals. A return to the nest is most likely a longshot, but the 2012 first-round pick is still young enough (28) to have an impact if he were given another chance.
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Arizona’s receiving corps has quite a few unknowns at the moment. Adding a reinforcement who has spent ample time in the NFL’s trenches would make sense. Veteran pass-catching assistance may be just a simple phone call away.