It appears the Arizona Cardinals are moving in a different direction after being linked to wide receiver Josh Cribbs prior to the draft. Darren Urban said general manager Steve Keim "was not optimistic" a deal would be struck between the two sides.
Josh Cribbs deal with Cardinals unlikely after NFL Draft
A deal with the talented return man seems less likely after the second round of the draft.
Ezra Shaw
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
The Cardinals added LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu in the third round of the NFL draft. The organization told media that part of their plan for "Honey Badger" was to have him work on special teams, specifically pairing with Patrick Peterson on punt returns as needed.
Adding another threat on returns limits a lot of the versatility Cribbs would bring to the table. While he has ability as a receiver, he made a name for himself in Cleveland as a return man, where he earned pro bowl honors. Cribbs and the Browns were unable to agree to a long-term deal, making the eight-year veteran a free agent.
Cribbs will likely wait until after the draft to see if a team can use his services. The final four rounds of the draft are often where teams look to fill their special teams units, but he could still be an excellent option for any team that needs help with returns.
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