Zach Ertz should be next on Arizona Cardinals priority list

It’s hard to deny that the front office of the Arizona Cardinals has done a tremendous job during the current offseason. General manager Steve Keim and his cohorts have added impressive talent, on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. There’s one area of the roster, however, that has been virtually ignored by the Cardinals over the past few months.

On paper at least, Arizona may have the most unimpressive group of tight ends in the entire National Football League. The one bright spot at the position in 2020, Dan Arnold, left to sign a free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers back in March. The current starter for the Cards, Maxx Williams, totaled just eight receptions for 102 yards and one measly touchdown in nine appearances last fall.

All of the worthwhile free-agents who the Cardinals could’ve signed (Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Rob Gronkowski) have found homes by now. The team drafted seven prospects this past weekend, but not one of the youngsters is a tight end.

As bleak as the situation looks for Arizona, all hope is not lost. Free agency and the draft are no longer options for solving the dilemma, but a trade possibility still remains. In fact, an answer for the problem at the Cards tight end spot could be just a phone call away.

Various reports indicate that the Philadelphia Eagles would be willing to cut ties with veteran Zach Ertz for the right price. The former Stanford star was expected to be dealt during the draft, but no deal was consummated. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who could have been asking for too much, may now have to lower his demands for the 6’5, 250 pound Ertz.

There is an agreement that can be proposed which could make sense for both Arizona and Philadelphia. It involves the swapping of a couple of players who could both be in search of a fresh start with a new franchise.

This past Thursday, the Cardinals used their first-round selection (16th-overall) on inside linebacker Zaven Collins. The University of Tulsa product has arrived to take the job of Jordan Hicks, who spent the first four seasons of his pro career with the Eagles. Would Philadelphia, a squad who happens to be in dire need of linebacker help, take the 28-year old Hicks in exchange for the 30-year Ertz?

It wouldn’t cost Keim and the Cards anything to find out. Perhaps a future draft choice would be sufficient enough to acquire the talented Ertz. One thing’s for sure, the Redbirds could use an upgrade at the tight end position in the worst way.