2016 NFL undrafted rookies: Who is Arizona Cardinals WR Amir Carlisle?

After rookie camp last weekend, there were a couple of changes on the roster. Two tryout players got signed, with two other players getting cut, including one who was just signed right after the draft. WR Amir Carlisle made the cut. Let's find out more about him.

Carlisle is a 5-10, 195-pound receiver from Notre Dame played in 37 games (19 starts) with the Fighting Irish after transferring from USC following his freshman year. He recorded 61 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons with Notre Dame while also rushing for 288 yards on 60 carries and returning 46 kicks for 998 yards. Carlisle had two receptions for 14 yards in his final collegiate game at the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium.

He played in the slot in 2015 and played some running back before.

SB Nation's Notre Dame site, One Foot Down, wrote this about Carlisle before the draft:

Strengths

-Tough

-Explosive bursts in and out of his cuts

-Has good speed

Weaknesses

-Small body size for NFL

-Doesn't have NFL-level agility

-Age could be a turn off

Amir Carlisle held down the slot position for Notre Dame, yet not really giving much production out of it. It seemed he would be destined to play there for 2015. If he switched back to running back, he wouldn't see the field in the crowded backfield.  He was a 5th year player, so his experience was something that the offense could rely on.

He is fast, but does not have top end speed. he ran a 4.5-second 40 at his Pro Day. He measured 5-9 1/2. he is athletic, as he showed with a 35-inch vertical, and he is reasonably strong, putting up 17 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press.

He appears to be a tweener runner/receiver, sort of like ASU's D.J. Foster, but without the production. Arizona sees him as a receiver, as noted by his position listing.

Here are some highlights from his Pro Day:

Here are some highlights of his play: link

Carlisle will have a very hard time even sticking on the practice squad. The receiver room is stacked right now. However, his versatility could prove valuable. Nonetheless, he is likely just a camp body.