About a week after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals made a move that flew completely under the radar, signing tight end Josiah Deguara to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.
Training camp hasn't even started yet, and Deguara is already on thin ice.
Josiah Deguara is facing an uphill battle to make the Cardinals roster
Josiah Deguara has had an interesting journey through the NFL. The former Cincinnati tight end was taken by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent his entire rookie contract with the Packers, but he failed to carve out a significant role for himself on offense.
In his four years with the team, Deguara totaled just 47 receptions for 436 yards and two touchdowns. After his second season, his target numbers have decreased each year.
As Deguara's career progressed, he became a special teams ace. In 2023, most of Deguara's snaps with the Packers came on special teams. Green Bay let him walk in free agency during the 2024 offseason, when he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Deguara spent one season with Jacksonville, again earning the majority of his work on special teams.
This offseason, the Cardinals signed Deguara, presumably for the same role. Deguara will have to quickly prove that he can make an impact in Arizona if he wants to end up on the Cardinals' final roster.
Simply put, there isn't really room for another tight end on the Cardinals' depth chart. Arizona has one of the deepest tight end groups in the league, with each player serving a unique role.
Of course, Trey McBride is one of the best tight ends in the NFL, and he's coming off a career year. Backup Tip Reiman is an excellent blocker who helps unlock the Cardinals' rushing attack. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing uses Reiman as a chess piece to create favorable blocking matchups all over the field. Third-string tight end Elijah Higgins brings some explosiveness as a receiver while serving as a capable blocker when needed.
Barring a major injury, Josiah Deguara likely won't see much of the field on offense this season. That leaves special teams as his best bet to make the roster. When training camp starts in late July, Deguara will need to prove that he can help make a difference on special teams. He has experience playing on kick coverage, punt coverage, kick return, and punt return teams.
If Deguara fails to impress the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff in training camp, his time with the Cardinals may end before he ever plays a game.