Arizona Cardinals signing Kevin White is a smart gamble into untapped potential
By Avery Duncan
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Arizona Cardinals are expected to sign Chicago Bears’ 2015 first-round pick Kevin White.
The Arizona Cardinals will sign the forme Bears receiver to a one-year contract after the seventh selection of the 2015 NFL Draft after having a visit, per ESPN’s Field Yates. Kevin White will look to revive his career wearing Red and White after only playing 14 games in his three-year career.
Injuries have been the story to describe White’s career. Since 2015, the 26-year-old has suffered a fibula and tibia fracture, and a season-ending shoulder fracture, per Sports Injury Predictor. He missed the entirety of his rookie year with the tibia fracture, in turn allowing him to play just three seasons.
If he can stay healthy, White has the potential to revive his career with the Arizona Cardinals. He’s a physical specimen and proved that status at the 2015 NFL Combine. The 6-3, 215-lb receiver ran a 4.35 40-yard-dash, had a 36.5-inch vertical jump, had a 123-inch broad jump, and put up 23 reps on the 225-lb bench press.
At West Virginia, White earned comparisons to elite receivers that can win on 50/50 balls, including DeAndre Hopkins, and even Larry Fitzgerald. He’s a physical specimen that has the potential to be an unguardable player in the NFL due to his freak athlete status, ability to create seperation, and catch radius.
In his 14 games played, White has tallied 25 receptions for 285 yards without a touchdown, so it’s fair to say White’s portfolio is limited. Betting on him to stay healthy is not a smart bet, but if he can, he has the upside to be a real X receiver — a position of need for the Arizona Cardinals.
Final verdict: The one-year signing of Kevin White has the potential to be very beneficial for the Cardinals. The oft-injured receiver could also benefit from learning from Larry Fitzgerald to tap into his potential.
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