Cardinals claim former Jets CB Javelin Guidry to sharpen DB depth

The Arizona Cardinals were not confident in their cornerback depth after three preseason games and training camp, and the reworking of the room continued Wednesday, a day after the team traded for former Las Vegas Raiders starter Trayvon Mullen.

Arizona claimed former New York Jets cornerback Javelin Guidry off waivers Wednesday and, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, released rookie Christian Matthew to make room for the addition.

Guidry has five NFL starts and appeared in 28 games for New York in his first two NFL seasons.

In 2021, he recorded 48 tackles to go with three passes defensed and a quarterback hit, mostly playing as a nickel. That is where he could likely add depth for the Cardinals.

The 5-foot-9, 191-pound defensive back produced four forced fumbles and 22 tackles as a rookie in 2020.

The 24-year-old ran a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Draft Combine and also ran track in college for the Utah Utes.

The Cardinals’ cornerback depth chart begins with Byron Murphy, Marco Wilson and Antonio Hamilton, but Hamilton’s status for the Week 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs is unknown as he deals with an undisclosed health issue. Hamilton had separated as the No. 2 corner ahead of Wilson during training camp.

Mullen, who Arizona acquired Tuesday for a conditional seventh-round draft pick, projects as a rotation option with 37 games and 31 starts under his belt. He was a second-round pick in 2019.

Arizona’s cornerback room also included Matthew, who impressed in training camp but is projected as a developmental player. He is a seventh-round pick out of Valdosta State.

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