Arizona Cardinals should look at Iowa tight ends

The Arizona Cardinals got a veteran tight end last month but should take a close look at a couple of high performers from the NFL Scouting Combine

Last month we talked about tight ends as being a need for the Arizona Cardinals.  They went out and signed free agent Charles Clay after he was released by the Buffalo Bills.

Previous to that we looked at possible players the Cardinals should look at in the 2019 NFL Draft.  One of those players was Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson.  He and another Iowa tight end, Noah Fant, had themselves a day at the combine in Indianapolis on Saturday.

Both Hockenson and Fant performed well in a number of categories.  Fant was number one at 40-yard dash, clocking in at 4.50 seconds.

Fant and Hockenson were 1-2 in the vertical jump.  Fant reached 39.5 inches while Hockenson reached 37.5 inches.  Having guys that can reach to catch a ball is important to have these days.

They also finished 1-2 in the broad jump.  Fant jumped 127 inches while Hockenson jumped 123 inches.

Would you also believe they were the best at the 3-cone drill as well?  They were 1-2 there as well.  Fant finished a 6.81 seconds and Hockenson at 7.02.

In the 20-yard shuttle, Fant and Hockenson were 2-3 at 4.18 seconds and 4.22 seconds respectively.  They were 1-2 in the 60-yard shuttle, finishing 11.49 and 11.55 respectively.

The Cardinals still haven’t made a move with either of their top two tight ends coming into the offseason, Jermaine Gresham and Ricky Seals-Jones.  Many believe Gresham is done after the signing of Clay.

What about Seals-Jones?  Even if they keep him, would they consider a tight end in the draft?  They might, especially in an offense that could end up being pass-happy.

It’s possible those guys from Iowa are gone by the time the Cardinals want one.  Hockenson is projected late first round.  Fant should be close behind, so Cardinals might need to think about using a second-rounder if they really are in love with one of them.

That might be too high for the Cardinals to grab one.  If so, then other guys who performed well on Saturday to look at include Alize Mack from Notre Dame, Caleb Wilson from UCLA, Josh Oliver from San Jose State, and Irv Smith from Alabama.