Arizona Cardinals add speed with wide receiver signing

The Arizona Cardinals continue to add to the roster via free agency.

The Arizona Cardinals added speed to their wide receiver depth chart by signing former Carolina Panther Damiere Byrd to a one-year contract through the 2019 season.

After going undrafted in 2015, Byrd signed with the Panthers and played three seasons with them. He primarily played on special teams and earned duties as a return-man in 2018. During his 17 game career, Byrd has returned 12 punts for 113 yards and 10 kicks for 294 yards and a 103-yard touchdown.

The name of Byrd’s game is speed. The 5-9, 180-pound receiver ran a 4.28 40-yard-dash during his South Carolina pro-day. But despite possessing ideal speed, he’s seen limited action as a receiver. He’s totaled 12 receptions on 20 targets for 129 yards and two touchdowns primarily out of the slot. He finished the 2018 season unranked on Pro Football Focus with a 59.7 grade as a receiver.

With the late-season addition of former 2017 All-Pro returner Pharoh Cooper in 2018, the Cardinals were expected to stay idol at the returner position. Byrd could be competition to Cooper or will serve as a backup wide receiver in a thin position group.

While it’s unknown just what Byrd will be doing in Cardinal Red come 2019, the signing comes as a smart low-risk, low-reward one for Steve Keim. Byrd will surely bring speed to the roster, and competition to a depth chart that lacks, well depth.

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