A recent tweet from ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss shows a direction Arizona could go in the draft this year. They have been researching the tight ends in the draft, which comes as no surprise, as they research all players and positions in every draft class.
However, this year is not a year to really desire a tight end, at least not per most experts. The consensus is you might be lucky to grab a starter, but if you’re looking for a solid role player, you can maybe find one of those.
With Arizona having locked up Maxx Williams for two more seasons, the pressure to find a starter might not be there. They also seem to like Dan Arnold, evidenced by his usage later in the year.
So what this may mean is that Arizona could look this particular direction on Day 3 of the draft. Here are some of the tight ends they could target:
Hunter Bryant, Washington
Bryant is on this list because he is Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated tight end. He’s known as a move tight end, although many experts wonder if he doesn’t have the body, at 240+ pounds, to learn how how to block, much like Delanie Walker did when he first entered the league.
With the aforementioned Dan Arnold already on the team, you can see that Kliff Kingsbury’s offense does have a place for a move tight end. If Bryant is still on the board in Round 4, it would not be a surprise to see Arizona take him.
And, as a bonus? He’s an ex-Washington Husky – and we know Arizona likes to take those players in the draft.
Adam Trautman, Dayton
Trautman opened eyes at the Senior Bowl, and, after perhaps Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, is considered maybe the most complete tight end of the class.
If this were a few years ago, one would think he would be a great target for Steve Keim, given that he went to a small school and stood out at the Senior Bowl, which was usually a good combination for the Cardinals GM.
He may still be on the Cardinals radar, but might be long gone by their Day 3 picks, so if they like Trautman, they may need to pick him with their Day 2 selection in Round 3.
Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Hopkins’ strengths are his ability to run routes and get downfield, as well as his athleticism. His weakness? He led all tight ends on this list in dropped passes.
Still, his ceiling would perhaps be higher than many on this list if that can be corrected.
Harrison Bryant, FAU
If Arizona wants to take someone later on Day 3 that is a relatively safe pick, with what appears to be limited upside according to most experts, it would be Bryant.
However, he is the only tight end in the draft that eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving this past college season, and won the John Mackey award for the nation’s top tight end. He might be there in Round 6 if Arizona would be interested.
Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Albert O, as he is known, perhaps is the ultimate boom or bust pick of this bunch. His production early in college, with Drew Lock at the helm, made some in league circles think he might be an early Day 1/2 pick.
However, his production dipped this past season with Clemson transfer Kelly Bryant, though he did have some eye-popping numbers at the combine, with a 4.49 40 yard dash — very fast for a tight end. Arizona could do worse with one of their Day 3 picks.
Others
Not to be ignored, many view Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet as the top prospect, given he’s the most well-rounded, but surely Arizona won’t draft another Notre Dame tight end after the Troy Niklas disaster perhaps? Either way, he might be gone by Arizona’s first Day 2 pick.
Some other interesting names are Thaddeus Moss, who is the son of former star NFL receiver Randy Moss, Josiah Deguara of Cincinnati and Jared Pickney of Vanderbilt.
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