The Arizona Cardinals signed Dylan Cantrell on Tuesday, June 2. Cantrell spent two years with the Los Angeles Chargers after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Spending the majority of his time with the Chargers on the practice squad, he has yet to play in a regular season game. Shoulder issues led to his release after the 2019 season.
The Chargers list the 25 year old as a wide receiver. Kliff Kingsbury plans to move the 6’3” 226 pound pass catcher to tight end.
The Cardinals have signed former Chargers WR Dylan Cantrell, who played for Kliff Kingsbury at Texas Tech. Sounds like he might work at tight end (6-3, 226 coming out of college). Intriguing developmental player.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 1, 2020
Dylan Cantrell – New Cardinals Tight End
His main advantage over the other young tight ends that will fight for a roster spot is his relationship with head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Over four active seasons at Texas Tech from 2013-2017, Cantrell accumulated 158 receptions for 1,873 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Cantrell was a major red-zone threat in the Texas Tech offense his junior and senior seasons. In 2016 he posted a career high in touchdowns with eight and 675 yards. His senior year, 2017, he tallied 816 yards and seven touchdowns. Cantrell averaged 11.8 yards per carry which speaks to his ability to move the sticks in down situations.
For his size, Cantrell posted some good numbers at the 2018 NFL Combine:
40yd Dash – 4.59
Shuttle – 4.03
3 Cone – 6.56
Vertical – 38.5
Bench – 18
Broad Jump – 130
Cantrell enters a crowded tight end room that currently includes Maxx Williams, Dan Arnold, Darrell Daniels, Tyler Houston,and Ryan Becker. Maxx Williams showed potential last season even though his stats are underwhelming. Dan Arnold is a giant 6’6″ receiving tight end who formed a connection with QB Kyler Murray late last season. Darrell Daniels was mostly unseen and unused last season.
Expect Cantrell to compete with the two rookies Houston and Becker and possibly Daniels as well for a roster spot. However, Cantrell’s familiarity with Kingsbury’s offense will only help him as he fights for a spot with the 2020 Arizona Cardinals.
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