Arizona Cardinals’ defense could be one of the lowest rated in the NFL
Sep 7, 2019, 12:44 PM | Updated: 1:34 pm
GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 08: The Arizona Cardinals defense points after a turnover during the NFL preseason football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Arizona Cardinals on August 8, 2019 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In a recent article posted on For the Win!, Steven Ruiz ranked the Cardinals’ defense as the worst in the NFL.
Ruiz graded each team with four categories including coverage, pass rush, coaching and run defense. The categories were weighted based on how important he thought each facet of defense is.
Pass coverage was highlighted as being the more important while run defense was the least.
The Cardinals’ low ranking was mostly due to depth and lack of experience.
The Cardinal’s depth is already being tested with projected cornerbacks Patrick Peterson (suspension) and Robert Alford (leg injury) both set to miss the first half of the season, leaving Arizona with two unproven players starting at one of the most important spots on the roster. The pass rush may not be a big help, either. Chandler Jones is coming off a down year, Terrell Suggs might be washed and none of the Cardinals’ interior linemen are capable of producing consistent pressure. There are going to be a lot of shootouts in Arizona this season.
This isn’t the first time this season, however, that the Cardinal’s received poor rankings.
In June, Pro Football Focus said the Cardinals had the worst overall roster heading into this season. In August, PFF said they had the No. 24 wide receiver corps in the league.
Around the NFC West, the Los Angeles Rams were the highest ranked team in the division at No. 9. The Seattle Seahawks came in at No. 16 and the San Francisco 40ers landed at the No. 23 spot.
Ruiz listed the New England Patriots No. 1 on his ranking.
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