ARIZONA CARDINALS

Pro Football Focus: Cardinals secondary among the league’s worst

Jul 25, 2018, 2:26 PM

Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson (21) stretches during the NFL team's organized team activity We...

Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson (21) stretches during the NFL team's organized team activity Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

The Arizona Cardinals’ rotating door in the secondary has been a cause of concern the last two seasons.

The team released starting safety Tyrann Mathieu and starting cornerback Tramon Williams signed with the Green Bay Packers. Jamar Taylor was acquired from the Cleveland Brown to replace Williams, who performed well for the Cardinals in the secondary and will be tough for the defense to replace.

Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner isn’t high on the Cardinals secondary entering the 2018 season, ranking them at No. 19 in the NFL.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson has excelled his entire career with the Cardinals and will be essential if the secondary is to perform above expectations.

Luckily for the Cardinals, the starting spot across from Peterson is one of the easiest jobs in the NFL. Unluckily for them, they lost Tramon Williams this offseason and have little hope of replacing the production from a season ago. They traded for Taylor this offseason from Cleveland, but there was a reason why the talent-needy Browns were willing to part ways with the former second-round pick. Taylor allowed 69.3 percent of his targets to be completed a season ago and has allowed a passer rating of 111.4 in his coverage for his career.

Renner’s prognosis on Taylor isn’t ideal for the Cardinals since he will likely be targeted by opposing defenses as the Cardinals’ other starting cornerback.

If Taylor struggles, Bene’ Benwikere or Brandon Williams could see more time opposite Peterson and Taylor would most likely be moved to nickel cornerback.

The safety positions appear to be well manned by veteran Antoine Bethea and second-year player Budda Baker. Bethea is in the second year of a three-year deal he signed prior to last season. Baker excelled in both special teams and in limited playing time at safety. The second-year player will have an increased role in 2018 with the departure of Mathieu.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

17 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

20 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Pro Football Focus: Cardinals secondary among the league’s worst