Arizona Cardinals should pass on recently available receivers

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 9: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Baltimore Ravens walks on to the field for the Ravens first drive during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 9: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Baltimore Ravens walks on to the field for the Ravens first drive during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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A number of receivers have become available recently and the Arizona Cardinals should pass on each of them

There is no arguing that maybe at some point, one of the recently released receivers in the NFL could have helped the Arizona Cardinals.  Maybe one of them could still based on previous production or future potential?

However the receivers who have recently become available do not fit what the Cardinals are or are trying to become.  The two most recent available receivers at Michael Crabtree and John Ross.

Crabtree was released by the Baltimore Ravens and now Tuesday evening word dropped that the Cincinnati Bengals are releasing receiver John Ross.  Of course we all know about the availability of Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown.

The Cardinals will be in the market for making additions at receiver.  We’ve talked about it a lot, especially since the season ended.  However good these receivers are, the Cardinals need to pass.

Crabtree had just 54 receptions and three touchdowns this past season in Baltimore.  It wasn’t entirely his fault though.  He went from an unproductive Joe Flacco to a rookie, run-first, quarterback in Lamar Jackson.

Ross, who missed most of his rookie season in 2017, only caught 21 passes in his second season with the Bengals.  He is fast but 21 receptions in 13 games played, including 10 starts, is not productive.

Other receivers recently available include Bruce Ellington by the Detroit Lions and Demaryius Thomas by the Houston Texans.  Thomas split the season between the Texans and Denver Broncos.  Thomas had 59 receptions between the two teams, getting traded the week before the two teams played each other.

Ellington split time between the Lions and Texans.  He had just 31 receptions between the two teams last season.

Next. Cardinals brass to speak at Combine on Wednesday. dark

Brown will only come to Arizona via trade and we’ve discussed how the Cardinals should not give up the farm for him.  That’s what it will take to get him here.  Let a team like the San Francisco 49ers overpay for him.