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.”
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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.”
