ARIZONA CARDINALS

Marco Wilson knows he’s earned nothing in Cardinals’ CB rotation

Aug 9, 2022, 8:25 AM

Arizona Cardinals second-year pro Marco Wilson is aware that relative success his rookie year hasn’t cemented his place as the No. 2 cornerback.

It didn’t take head coach Kliff Kingsbury last week saying the “jury’s still out” on Wilson’s role for Wilson to have an urgent approach.

“I hear things like that. When it comes to depth charts and stuff like that, it’s never certain,” Wilson told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Monday. “I mean, they always tell us the best guys are going to play, no matter how long you’ve been here or how short you’ve been here.

“I’ve seen that last year as a fourth-rounder and being able to take those snaps. The key for me is to just never get comfortable and think that I’m good with where I’m at. I know I can lose my spot as easy as anybody.”

Wilson said he’s not discussed his role with Kingsbury, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has emphasized that starting roles have been open competitions.

The cornerback added that after playing mostly in man-to-man at Florida before the Cardinals drafted him in the fourth round last year, he still has room to grow, especially on zone coverages.

Wilson also admitted he hit something of a rookie wall last season after a strong start.

“For sure, I would agree,” he said. “I’ll just say that’s probably just me being a rookie, never dealing with a season being that long and just having to adjust with a few injuries and stuff like that. Going into the season now, my second year … I feel like things like that won’t show up before.”

Wilson, who has battled a groin injury the last few days of camp, started 13 of the 14 games he played but was inactive the final two games of 2021 due to a shoulder injury.

He posted 48 tackles with four passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Along with Wilson, Antonio Hamilton and Josh Jackson are in the hunt to earn significant roles at cornerback.

Hamilton earned mention from Wilson as an underrated teammate at cornerback, while Kingsbury also on Monday listed the veteran on his short-list of players in the mix to earn time.

“(The cornerback rotation is) to-be-determined, no doubt,” Kingsbury told reporters. “I’ve been impressed by Hamilton … he’s really played well in camp. We need Marco and we need another one of those young guys to come on.”

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is honored for his 2021 Pro Bowl nod during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury addresses the crowd during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker is honored for his 2021 Pro Bowl nod during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin runs through drills during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner is honored for his 2021 Pro Bowl nod during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals OL D.J. Humphries is honored for his 2021 Pro Bowl nod during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Ward runs through drills during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner runs through drills during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill looks on during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner runs through drills during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Eno Benjamin runs through drills during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Ward runs through drills during the Red & White practice on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Glendale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

Arizona Cardinals

Carlos Watkins #91 of the Dallas Cowboys runs into the endzone for a touchdown as Taysom Hill #7 of...
Kellan Olson

Arizona Cardinals sign former Cowboys DL Carlos Watkins

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Carlos Watkins on Thursday.
2 days ago
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton kneels on the field before the AFC championship NFL foo...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals ink Rashad Fenton to boost CB depth

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Rashad Fenton to a one-year deal on Thursday.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown fined in speeding case

Arizona Cardinals receiver Hollywood Brown was fined $473 with credit for time served for an August speeding arrest on the Loop 101 freeway.
3 days ago
Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warm up prior ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals ‘feel really good’ at QB as Kyler Murray preps for next phase of rehab

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is making steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL suffered last season.
3 days ago
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Isaiah Simmons remains positionless in Cardinals’ new-look defense

The Cardinals have a decision to make when it comes down to Isaiah Simmons. And no, it's not centered around the fifth-year option.
4 days ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals is called for a personal foul penalty against Eric Sto...
Tyler Drake

Jonathan Gannon operating under premise DeAndre Hopkins will be a Card

While the trade chatter surrounding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins continues, he's a Cardinal until he isn't in HC Jonathan Gannon's eyes.
3 days ago
Marco Wilson knows he’s earned nothing in Cardinals’ CB rotation