Kevin White’s best shot to redeem his career is with the Arizona Cardinals

Kevin White and the Arizona Cardinals are a perfect fit. So much so that it could lead to a career resurgence for the oft-injured wide receiver.

To call Kevin White’s NFL career anything but a disappointment would be wrong. The seventh overall pick in the 2015 draft has been unable to stay on the field for a consistent period of time, in turn, giving him a measly stat line of just 25 receptions for 285 yards and no touchdowns.

Injuries have been the name of the game for White. In just four seasons, White has had two season-ending injuries including tibia, fibula, and shoulder scapula fractures. He also suffered a major high ankle sprain. Per Sports Injury Predictor, he has a 48.2% chance of injury in 2019.

But, Kevin White has progressed. In 2018, he didn’t suffer any significant injuries and was active for nine games. If White can bring that same clean bill of health to the desert, there is potential and infrastructure built for him to succeed.

The two most notable factors into White’s potential success while playing for the Arizona Cardinals; his idol Larry Fitzgerald and head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

During the 2017 off-season, White changed his number from 13 to 11 in large part because of Larry Fitzgerald. In an article with Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com, White explained why he looks up to Fitzgerald, saying;

"The best advice he’s [Fitzgerald] given me is ‘respect all; fear none,’ He has a big influence on me—following Christianity, eating right, taking care of my body and just preparing every day. You want to be the person on a team where guys say, ‘Wow, Kevin is doing everything right.’ Larry has been in the league for 13 years and he still takes notes. He still does the little things and it’s the little things that matter. So big ups to Larry. That’s my guy I look towards."

Larry Fitzgerald will surely look to help Kevin White rebound for the Arizona Cardinals and perhaps take over as the ‘X’ receiver. On the other hand, new head coach Kliff Kingsbury should have little difficulties inserting White into his offense.

Although Kingsbury and White haven’t ever worked together, they do have some connections. At West Virginia, White was able to pile up the stats in Dana Holgorson’s ‘Air Raid’ offense. His senior year stat line included a gaudy 109 receptions, 1,447 yards, and ten touchdowns.

While it is unlikely that White could ever replicate his monstrous West Virginia form in the NFL, he should be happy to know that Kingsbury and Holgorson crafted their offenses while working as offensive coaches at the University of Houston for two seasons.

White’s finite route running and ability to create seperation will be a natural fit in an offense that emphasizes outside wide receivers with extensive route trees. His freakish athletisism and large catch radius will also be a bonus for Kingsbury. But, most importantly, that knowledge that White has as the primary receiver in Holgorson’s offense will be vital towards his growth. The similarities between the two playbooks will surely help White ease into the Cardinals offense.

Of course, betting on White to stay healthy isn’t a smart bet. But, if he does, the 27-year-old could blossom as an Arizona Cardinals adjacent to the receiver he looks up to. It is clear that signing White is a gamble, but with the right personnel, it could lead to a huge payout.