NFL.com’s Patra ranks Cardinals’ CBs among weakest rooms in league

The Arizona Cardinals enter coaching camp with a couple of query marks personnel-wise on the defensive facet of the ball, notably at cross rusher and center linebacker following the departures of Chandler Jones and Jordan Hicks.

Whereas followers across the state might imagine these are the main candidates within the questions division, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra ranked the most important remaining holes round each crew’s place group and had the Cardinals’ cornerback room because the fourth largest roster gap within the league.

Surprisingly, the Cardinals didn’t deal with the cornerback place till the seventh spherical of the draft, deciding on Christian Matthew, regardless of a necessity on the place. The tragic loss of life of Jeff Gladney, who signed with Arizona in March, exacerbated the Playing cards’ issues on the again finish. Alongside Byron Murphy sits a giant query mark. Arizona is relying on Marco Wilson to make vital strides after struggling as a rookie. The Playing cards faltered down the stretch final season, permitting 30-plus factors in 4 of their remaining six video games (together with the playoffs). With Chandler Jones not harassing QBs for the crew, much more strain is on a secondary with query marks heading towards camp.

Arizona’s cornerback trio of Robert Alford, Byron Murphy Jr. and Marco Wilson ranked No. 21 in PFF’s remaining cornerback rankings, however No. 26 in exterior protection for the 2021 season.

Murphy made 64 tackles and set profession marks with 4 interceptions and 12 passes defended throughout 16 begins.

Wilson recorded 48 tackles, 4 passes defended and two compelled fumbles over 14 video games performed throughout his rookie marketing campaign. He was thrust right into a beginning position when Malcolm Butler out of the blue retired forward of final season. Butler is now a member of the New England Patriots.

The crew additionally re-signed Antonio Hamilton who notched 38 tackles, 4 passes defended and one fumble restoration over 17 video games (two begins). With Alford nonetheless testing free company, Hamilton is the seemingly candidate to take over the third CB spot.

Patra ranks the Baltimore Ravens’ edge rushers (No. 3), the San Francisco 49ers’ facilities (No. 2) and the Los Angeles Rams’ edge rushers (No. 1) as the one teams with larger flaws than the Cardinals’ corners.