Arizona Cardinals: 5 second-year players looking to contribute

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive back Byron Murphy #33 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive back Byron Murphy #33 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Hakeem Butler #17 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL pre-season game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Hakeem Butler #17 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL pre-season game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

Many Arizona Cardinals fans were excited with the selection of Hakeem Butler in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Reports coming out of training camp led to a belief that Butler was struggling behind Johnson, the darling of the summer training program, and Isabella.

Unfortunately, fans weren’t able to judge for themselves. Butler suffered an avulsion fracture in one of his hands during the second preseason game. The Cardinals placed him on injured reserve and just like that his season was over.

Going into 2020, Hakeem Butler possesses intriguing measurements. He has fantastic size standing at 6 foot 5 inches and weighing in at 227 pounds. That size gives him the opportunity to be a significant red-zone threat.

In August 2019, Murray remarked:

"He was hitting his stride. With a guy like him, big, fast, can run, can go up and get the ball, you want to see what he can do and he was starting to do that.” AZCardinals.com"

In addition to tight end size, Butler ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His rare combination of measurements and intangibles still make him an interesting prospect for this season.

Like Andy Isabella and Johnson, Butler will have to fight for a spot on a team that has more wide receivers riches than it has in years.

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