Starters: Jim Dray, Rob Housler
Backups: Jake Ballard, Kory Sperry
Under contract in 2014: Housler
Cash committed in ‘13: $2.28 million
Cap committed in ‘13: $2.46 million
Recap: What was hailed as Rob Housler's coming out party didn’t exactly go as planned. Injuries plagued the third-year tight end’s season, starting in training camp when he severely sprained his ankle, an injury that kept him out the first two weeks of the season. A groin injury impacted his play the throughout the last month of the season. He had 39 catches for 454 yards with just one touchdown. Since Cardinals coach Bruce Arians likes to use two tight ends, a lot of responsibility was put on Jim Dray, who became a starter for the first time in his career. While Housler was known as the receiving tight end, Dray was the blocker, finding a role in pass protection. Dray finished with 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 26 catches -- all career highs. The Cardinals signed Jake Ballard during the bye week and he provided an athletic spark off the bench, filling a dual role as a receiver and blocker. In eight games, he logged three starts and finished with 75 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.
