Troy

Niklas

A Mackey Award semifinalist, Niklas caught just 28 passes for 422 yards and five touchdowns in 2013, but checks in at a mountainous 6-foot-7, 270 pounds. Rotoworld’s Josh Norris believes there’s a chance Niklas is among the draft’s first 50 picks. Already a plus blocker, a strong Combine showing would make Niklas a highly sought after upside pick.

Per NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, there is “buzz building” on Niklas as NFL teams have been able to study him more. Niklas was a bit of a surprise early entrant into the draft, but is regarded as one of this year’s few “complete” tight ends, whereas the likes of Eric Ebron are “move” prospects. Notre Dame has become a hotbed for pro tight ends, from John Carlson to Kyle Rudolph to 2013 first-round pick Tyler Eifert, and now plus-sized Niklas.

The reps come two days after coach Bruce Arians said Niklas was “pressing” Jermaine Gresham and Daniel Fells. The No. 52 overall pick of the 2014 draft, Niklas’ career has thus far been stalled by injury. Even were he to claim starting status, he’ll be well off the fantasy radar for Week 1.

“He continues to press those other two guys (Jermaine Gresham and Darren Fells) for the starting job,” said Arians. The 52nd overall pick in the 2014 draft, Niklas’ first two NFL seasons have been stalled by injury. He caught passes for gains of 32 and 12 yards in Arizona’s preseason opener and should’ve had a touchdown, but was badly overthrown by erratic backup QB Drew Stanton.

Niklas has only one catch, and played a modest 29.3 percent of the Cardinals’ snaps. Darren Fells and Jermaine Gresham have both been on the field more, and would see their playing time rise if Niklas misses an extended period.

Niklas needs four months of rehab. The No. 52 overall pick of the 2014 draft, Niklas has been bitten by the injury bug, sandwiching a 16-game 2015 with injury-shortened affairs. He was viewed as a blocker coming out of Notre Dame, and has lived up to his rep with only eight career catches. Niklas won’t be guaranteed to make the 53-man roster in the final year of his rookie contract.

Niklas went down in Week 11 with a high-ankle sprain that required surgery. He again rolled his ankle in Tuesday’s minicamp practice and needs another “procedure.” Coach Bruce Arians expects Niklas to be ready for training camp, but the ankle is an obvious concern for last year’s No. 52 overall pick. Tight end is a thankless position in Arians’ offense, leaving Niklas well off the fantasy map.

This isn’t breaking news, but it’s a reminder that Niklas carries little to no Dynasty value as a 6-foot-7, 270-pound sixth offensive lineman in a Bruce Arians offense that has always made scant use of tight ends as receivers.

It comes with a 4-6 week recovery timetable. Niklas may be limited some before camp, but he should be 100 percent well before summer. The No. 52 overall pick has a chance to log heavy snaps right out of the gate. Coach Bruce Arians loves tight ends who can block. Niklas was one of the best two-way tight ends available in the draft. He, John Carlson, and Rob Housler will compete for snaps.

Niklas had previously been limited due to recovery from sports-hernia surgery. Coach Bruce Arians remains confident he’ll be ready for the start of camp. The top two-way tight end on Arizona’s roster, Niklas is expected to play a prominent role on offense right out of the gate. The Niklas injury makes it more likely the Cardinals will hang onto Rob Housler, at least until training camp.