2015 Draft
UDFA 9. Jaxon Shipley WR Texas

After going undrafted in the 2015 draft, Shipley tweeted Saturday evening he would sign a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

I am blessed and very excited to have the opportunity to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.

Shipley started 35 games in his four seasons at Texas and finished near the top of multiple program receiving lists. His 218 career receptions rank third in Longhorns history, and he is also sixth on the program's all-time list with 2,510 career receiving yards. The 6-foot, 190-pound wide out caught a pass in 47 of his 48 career games.

A safety net for a number of Texas quarterbacks, Shipley was the player everyone from Case McCoy to Tyrone Swoopes looked to when they needed to complete a pass. Shipley finished with at least 577 receiving yards in each of his four seasons in Austin.

The Cardinals also drafted University of Alabama Birmingham wide receiver J.J. Nelson in the sixth round. Shipley joins former Longhorns Alex Okafor and Cory Redding on the Cardinals' roster.

Shipley is the brother of former NFL wide receiver Jordan Shipley.

6-0 190....Pro Day: Forty: 4.49....BP: 10...VJ: 35...BJ: 10 - 0...20S: 4.40...3C: 6.93

NFL.com Profile:

It could be WR Jaxon Shipley, who "was ready to eat" at his pro day, according to NFL Media's Lance Zierlein. Among Shipley's impressive numbers was a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt.

STRENGTHS Plays with soft hands and outstanding concentration with clutter around him. Willing to test the middle of the field and can make contested catches when you need them. Worked from outside and slot. Sinks hips into breaks. Shows above-average field awareness and works to make himself presentable to his quarterback. Won't pancake anyone as a blocker but will give effort and make effective cut blocks in space.

WEAKNESSES Had to fight through injuries in 2014 and missed a game against TCU because of a hamstring. Thin frame didn't get much thicker during time in Austin. Uses short, choppy steps into routes, eating very little cushion. Defenders don't respect his speed. Not much acceleration out of breaks to create separation. Limited effectiveness against man coverage and lacks strength to push through the jam.

DRAFT PROJECTION Priority free agent

BOTTOM LINE Thin slot receiver who does his best work in space against zone coverage. Lacks the desired quickness and route running to free himself from NFL man coverage, but has the hands to pluck it when the ball comes his way.

Here's what four draft guides have to say:

Pro Football Now (Arkush): Not listed

Lindy's: Not Listed

Beckett's Draft Guide - Not listed.

Pro Football Draft Guide - Not listed.

Bottom Line: Write-up suggests a reliable possession receiver who, if successful, would be an excellent compliment to bigger and faster Cardinal receivers like Fitz, Floyd and Jaron Brown...