PFF: CB Carlton Davis a perfect free-agent match for Arizona Cardinals
Mar 11, 2022, 8:20 AM | Updated: 8:22 am
Carlton Davis #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts as confetti falls after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals once again face some question marks this offseason when it comes to the cornerbacks room.
As it stands Friday morning, the Cardinals have two returning starting CBs in Byron Murphy and Marco Wilson. After that, there’s a steep dropoff.
Translation: The Cardinals need to add to the position, whether that be through the NFL Draft, free agency or both.
Pro Football Focus took the Cardinals’ secondary needs into account when looking at perfect free-agent fits for all 32 teams, linking cornerback Carlton Davis to Arizona.
Davis has the skill set to be a legitimate No. 1 option on the outside if Arizona opts to prioritize the secondary over the defensive line. Davis’ 44 forced incompletions since 2019 are the most in the NFL.
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The 6-foot-1, 206-pound cornerback is coming off his fourth NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over 10 games played in 2021, Davis recorded an interception, 11 passes defensed and 39 tackles.
Per PFF, Davis graded out to 66.6 last season with a coverage grade of 67.4. The only Cardinals cornerback to post a higher coverage grade last season was Robert Alford at 68.5. PFF lists Davis as the 17th-ranked free agent this offseason, projecting his next contract to be in the four-year, $66 million range.
With a pair of corners that saw extended roles in the defense last season in Alford and Antonio Hamilton set to test free agency, the Cardinals have practice squad CBs Breon Borders and Jace Whittaker as the only other depth pieces on the roster behind Murphy and Wilson. Between Borders (1) and Whittaker (2), the pair combined for just three games played last season.
And despite having a plethora of departing free agents, the Cardinals had just one featured as a perfect fit for an NFL team in tight end Maxx Williams.
Given his run-blocking ability, ESPN linked the tight end to the Tennessee Titans and their run-first mentality behind Derrick Henry.
Williams’ 83.8 PFF run-blocking grade since joining the Cardinals in 2019 ranks first among all tight ends — an important consideration on an offense like Tennessee’s. There’s a possibility that he could add more than anticipated as a receiver, as well. Williams caught 16 of 17 targets in an expanded receiving role prior to his Week 5 injury last season.
