Justin Bethel plans on impacting Arizona Cardinals as a cornerback, too

Jan 3, 2014, 5:13 PM | Updated: 5:14 pm

Justin Bethel made his first Pro Bowl due to his excellence on special teams, but the 23-year-old is hoping to make an impact in other areas of the game.

Selected in the sixth round of the 2012 Draft out of Presbyterian as a cornerback, Bethel has spent little time playing his natural position during his first two NFL seasons.

But as he heads into the offseason, that is supposed to change. As a guest on the Big Red Rage Thursday, Bethel said head coach Bruce Arians issued a challenge when they met at the end of the season.

“He was really up front with me, saying he wants me to step up into that cornerback role and just come into next year being prepared to make something happen and be a bigger role on defense,” he said.

At 6-feet and 200 pounds, Bethel has good size for the position and is not lacking for athleticism, but even though he has the physical attributes, it is a big jump to go from special teams star to lock-down cornerback. He knows he still needs to improve in certain aspects of his game, including footwork, playing man-to-man coverage and locating the ball, but that’s what the offseason is for.

“I believe in my ability,” Bethel said. “When I’m in practice, I make a lot of plays. I do stuff that I know if I have to play in the game, I’ll be ready for it.

“So I’m looking forward to it and making something happen.”

As a senior in college a couple years ago, Bethel recorded 87 tackles, one sack and four interceptions while being named the Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He’s already made his mark at the professional level, but now it’s time for him to take another step forward. Both he and the team want it to happen.

“They’ve been wanting me to grow as a corner, and as the season’s gone on I feel like that’s really been happening,” he said. “So coming out next year, I’m looking forward to moving more toward the role of being a cornerback.”

Arizona Cardinals

Josh Woods #51 of the Detroit Lions celebrates during the second half against the New York Jets at ...
Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals agree to terms with LB Josh Woods on 1-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals and former Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Woods agreed to terms on a one-year deal, the team announced Thursday.
1 day ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals catches the game-winning touchdown pass ...
Arizona Sports

Report: Bills headlining Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins’ trade market

The Buffalo Bills are looking into a potential DeAndre Hopkins trade with the Arizona Cardinals, per report.
1 day ago
Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ mock draft scenarios: Arizona keeps the No. 3 pick

Trade the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft or keep it? That's the question Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will answer soon enough.
2 days ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the...
Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees logical landing spot for Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins

The trade speculation surrounding Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins rolls on with each passing day of the offseason.
2 days ago
Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
3 days ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
3 days ago
Justin Bethel plans on impacting Arizona Cardinals as a cornerback, too