With the 2015 season in the rear-view mirror, the Arizona Cardinals have moved on to preparing for next season.
Arizona has 15 unrestricted and four restricted free agents who are set to hit the open market March 9. Over the next two weeks, I will take a detailed look at each position that is slated to have a free agent and what the likelihood of those players returning in 2016 is on a high, medium or low scale.
Next up, tight end ...
Free agent: Jermaine Gresham
2015 stats: 18 receptions for 223 yards and 1 touchdown
2015 salary: $2.5 million
Likelihood of returning: High
Why: Gresham didn’t have an eye-popping season but he stayed relatively healthy and was consistent. He was the Cardinals’ second-most targeted tight end and their best pass blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s just 27 -- younger than Darren Fells -- and has productive years left in him. What also helps Gresham is that he and quarterback Carson Palmer have a relationship that dates back to 2010, when Gresham was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals when Palmer was their quarterback.
