NFL Notes: Cardinals, Jets, Patriots, & Ravens

Cardinals

John Weinfuss of ESPN.com believes Rob Housler is currently the Cardinals No. 4 tight end on their roster behind John Carlson, Jake Ballard and rookie Troy Niklas.

Weinfuss expects the Cardinals to keep four tight ends on their 53-man roster, but adds that Housler will still need to prove his worth this summer.

Housler doesn’t fit the block-first type of tight end that Bruce Arians has utilized in his offense, so there is a chance that Housler could be moved if a team were to show interest.

Evan Silva of Rotoworld specifically mentioned that the Falcons, Giants, Packers and Patriots could all use a pass-catching tight end.

Housler, 25, has been mentioned as a possible break out candidate for the past two seasons, but he has been largely disappointing. He appeared in 13 games last season and caught 39 passes for 454 yards which include his first and only NFL touchdown.

Jets

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York, “chances are the Jets will take a backfield-by-committee approach” this season.

Cimini currently projects the Jets to start Chris Johnson at running back with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell rounding out their top-three backs.

This leaves Daryl Richardson and Alex Green on the roster bubble. However, Cimini admits that Richardson could be a “wildcard” to keep an eye on during camp and the preseason.

Patriots

Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston writes that Patriots 2012 second-round pick Tavon Wilson could be on the chopping block this summer.

Reiss has Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon as locks to make the team with Nate Ebner and Jemea Thomas listed as “near locks.”

That leaves Wilson, Patrick Chung, Kanorris Davis, and Shamiel Gary possibly on the outside looking in.

Ravens

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that a multi-game suspension for Ravens’ RB Ray Rice “should be the assumption.”

Close to a month ago, Bart Hubbach of the New York Post mentioned that he was hearing that Rice’s punishment from the NFL will be “significant” and could result in a 4-6 game suspension.

The Ravens added veteran RB Justin Forsett in free agency and also drafted Lorenzo Taliaferro in the fourth-round of this year’s draft, so they are clearly preparing to be without him for at least a few weeks.

Bernard Pierce should be the team’s No. 1 running back while Rice is away from the team, although he is coming off of shoulder surgery.

Rice, 27, is coming off of a hugely disappointing 2013 season in which he recorded just 660 yards rushing on 214 carries (3.1 YPC) and four touchdowns. He also contributed 58 receptions for 321 yards receiving.

Rice is entering the third year of his five-year, $35 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed. Another disappointing season from Rice and the Ravens could consider moving taking the cap savings and move on.