Position: Tight end

Under contract: Troy Niklas, Hakeem Valles

Pending free agents: Jermaine Gresham, Darren Fells (restricted)

What's needed: If the Cardinals lose both Gresham and Fells, then they'll need to replace two starting tight ends. But the Cardinals can't sign any old tight end, especially in this era of tight ends who look like power forwards.

The Cardinals' top priority when evaluating free agents is how well they can block.

Coach Bruce Arians uses his tight ends primarily as blockers, keeping them on the line of scrimmage rather than send them out on routes. There are times, however, when he'll call passing plays for his tight ends, so a receiving skill set is necessary.

The Cardinals' tight end unit turned in their second-highest catch and yards total under Arians last season with 54 catches for 595 yards. Their three touchdowns were third most behind an Arians' era-high of six in 2015 and five in 2013.

In the case of the Cardinals, size matters. Both Gresham and Fells were 6-foot-5 and 6-7, respectively.

Possible fits: Jared Cook (Packers), Jack Doyle (Colts), Dion Sims (Dolphins)