Is Jerraud Powers the Arizona Cardinals’ best option at CB?

How long will it be before Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu are the Arizona Cardinals’ starting corners?

In watching the Cardinals’ three preseason games, I can’t help but cite cornerback Jerraud Powers as an area of concern. And the more I’ve looked into his football past, the more my concern grows.

At 5-foot-9, 187 pounds, Powers is a bit undersized, even for a corner.

In four NFL seasons, he’s missed large chunks of the schedule each year with various injuries.

Last year, quarterbacks racked up a rating of 105 when throwing directly at Powers.

And the fifth-year veteran’s scouting report reads like an NFL horror novel

– Isn’t very strong

– Struggles to get off blocks

– Takes too many chances

– Less than ideal size

– Durability concern

Of course, Powers brings positive attributes to the table as well. He’s a solid tackler for his size. He was a rookie starter for the Indianapolis Colts the year they nearly went undefeated. And he seems to have impressed the Cardinals coaching staff this preseason.

Still, I can’t help but wonder when the Cardinals will grow tempted to see Tyrann Mathieu on the field every down. Ideally, I think they’d like to use the rookie all over the place during the course of a game. Ideally, Powers will lock the down the other corner opposite Peterson. But whether through injury or ineffectiveness, I don’t see it happening.

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