ARIZONA CARDINALS

PFF ranks Patrick Peterson as 13th-best corner available this offseason

Feb 7, 2021, 6:35 AM | Updated: Feb 8, 2021, 12:11 pm

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) celebrates after an NFL football game against th...

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 33-26. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

With the offseason looming, the Arizona Cardinals have a decision to make regarding franchise stalwart and fan favorite Patrick Peterson.  

Pro Football Focus has Peterson ranked as the 13th-best free agent cornerback. 

The 10-year veteran enters free agency after a year where he recorded 61 tackles and three interceptions while allowing 50 receptions on 75 targets. 

Peterson has started all 16 games every year since entering the league in 2011 with the exception of 2019, when he was suspended for the first six games after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.  

Peterson has been selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and has been named a First Team All-Pro three times 

Despite this, Peterson struggled mightily in 2020.  

Peterson posted his worst coverage grade since his rookie year (53.1) and led the league in penalties with 12. 

Despite Peterson’s issues he is still the Cardinals’ best corner, as defensive coordinator Vance Joseph likes to play Byron Murphy in the slot.

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said last offseason that he was hopeful that Peterson would finish his career in Arizona, and that the cornerback would be a valuable mentor for a young Cardinals defense.

The Cardinals and Peterson have yet to reach an agreement on a new deal.

“I would love to (return) but at the end of the day we have to see because the ball is in their court now,” Peterson said in January On his All Things Covered podcast. “We have to see what they offer or what direction they want to go in. Everything is out of my hands at this point.”

PFF predicts that the Cardinals will bring back Peterson on a two-year, $25 million contract. 

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PFF ranks Patrick Peterson as 13th-best corner available this offseason