D.C. Jefferson to Cardinals: How Does TE Fit with Arizona?

With the 219th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals have selected former Rutgers tight end D.C. Jefferson.

How does Jefferson fit with what the Cardinals want to do on offense?

In short, he really doesn’t. He is not a speedy, athletic receiving tight end. He is a converted quarterback who caught only 47 passes for 560 yards and two touchdowns in four years while with the Scarlet Knights.

He is a developmental tight end who may spend his rookie season on the practice squad—if he makes it that far.

With the Indianapolis Colts getting Bruce Arians two solid receiving tight ends with which to work from the 2012 draft—Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen—it was speculated he and general manager Steve Keim may want to add one to complement Rob Housler. They took one, but Jefferson is not a receiving tight end.

The pick could have been any number of athletic tight ends still available—like Jake Stoneburner or Ryan Otten, for example.

Jefferson does have a bit of blocking upside, so if that is the direction they wish to go, the Cardinals could keep him around to help with goal-line and short-yardage situations. But I would not count on it. It would be more beneficial to run an extra offensive lineman out onto the field in those situations; many NFL teams do that, and they are generally successful when doing so.

Jefferson arrived at Rutgers as a 3-star quarterback, but he quickly moved to tight end during a preseason practice in August of 2009. It was thought to be temporary, but the move stuck and Jefferson is now a seventh-round draft pick of the Cardinals as a tight end.

Maybe if it does not pan out for him at the position he can take over for Carson Palmer in a couple years? Yes, I kid.

Give Jefferson a follow on Twitter (@DcJefferson10) and welcome him to the Cardinals.

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