Without knowing yet exactly how new coach Kliff Kingsbury will use his tight ends, it doesn't mean the Cardinals don't need some given scarcity on the roster at the position.

So Tuesday, the team jumped on yet another player who had been released by his previous team in part because of money, with the Cards signing veteran tight end Charles Clay -- released last week by Buffalo -- to a one-year contract.

Clay, who turned 30 last week, is going into his ninth season. He split his previous eight years evenly between time with the Miami Dolphins and Bills. Last year, Clay had 21 catches for 184 yards in 13 games. The previous five seasons before that, however, Clay never had fewer than 49 receptions in a season.

Adam Schefter reported the deal is worth up to $3.25 million, with a $350,000 signing bonus.

Clay becomes the third veteran free agent signed by the Cardinals after their release this month. The team also signed cornerback Robert Alford and linebacker Brooks Reed, both cut by the Falcons.

The tight end position is one in flux for the Cards. Veteran Jermaine Gresham is at the top of the depth chart, scheduled to make $6.25 million in salary this season. Ricky Seals-Jones and Darrell Daniels are both exclusive rights free agents, while veteran John Phillips will be an unrestricted free agent.

The draft is also populated with high-end tight end talent this year. The Cardinals' decision-makers will get an up-close look at that group next week at the annual Scouting combine.