Things did not go as expected for the Arizona Cardinals at cornerback. They hope things improve without a lot of change in 2020. In our offseason series looking at each position group, this is our focus today.
We will look back at 2019, see who remains on the roster and answer the offseason questions there might be.
2019 review
Cornerback was supposed to be a position of strength in 2019. They signed Robert Alford to pair him with Patrick Peterson. They signed a capable veteran in Tramaine Brock and drafted Byron Murphy.
Then things went wrong. Peterson was suspended for the first six games. He came back and struggled for two months. Alford broke his leg in training camp and never played. Brock and Murphy were forced into the No. 1 and No. 2 roles and did about as well as they could.
But ultimately, the Cardinals had one of the league’s worst pass defenses — they were terrifically bad.
Peterson played the worst of his career until December and then returned to be what he has normally been. Murphy struggled as a rookie. Brock was eventually released.
However, there might not be much change in 2020.
The roster
- Robert Alford: signed through 2021
- Andre Chachere: signed through 2020
- Jalen Davis: signed through 2020
- Chris Jones: signed through 2020
- Byron Murphy: signed through 2022
- Kevin Peterson: restricted free agent (pending he is given a qualifying tender)
- Patrick Peterson: signed through 2020
- Brandon Williams: unrestricted free agent
- Sojourn Shelton: signed to futures deal for 2020
- Duke Thomas: signed to futures deal for 2020
Offseason question: What is next for Patrick Peterson?
The last 18 months have been a roller coaster. He requested a trade and then apologized. He was suspended for PEDs and was upset with the team for not working with him on his contract. He played poorly and then looked great again.
He is entering the final year of his deal. Will this be his last year? The Cardinals have made it quite clear they will not trade him. More importantly, which version of him will we get? Did his play decline because he was not using PEDs? Was it really just getting back in shape and getting used to Vance Joseph’s defense?
General manager Steve Keim said he has begun talking to Peterson about a contract extension. How much will he expect in a new deal?
A bounceback season and a contract extension that doesn’t break the bank will go a long way to getting things back on track with fans.
Offseason question: Will Robert Alford bounce back from injury?
Alford was ready to be the top cornerback while Peterson was out. Then he never played. He has now dealt with a bad ankle in 2018 and a broken leg in 2019. Is this the beginning of the end of an older player, or will he come back and return to form and play a solid No. corner?
Keim has made it clear he will keep Alford around another year, so the team is counting on him.
Offseason question: Will Byron Murphy look like the player the Cardinals believe he will be?
Murphy started every game as a rookie and showed some promise but definitely had his struggles. Down the stretch, the team finally worked him into the role they see him playing and excelling at — in the slot.
He was their No. 5 rated player in last year’s draft and their top cornerback. They need him to make big strides entering Year 2.
Offseason outlook
In terms of changes, we shouldn’t expect much. They have young players to battle for the backup and depth spots.
If the Cardinals add anyone in free agency, look for a veteran like Tramaine Brock last year.
The biggest move they will possibly make is extending Peterson’s contract.
Don’t expect Kevin Peterson to be tendered as a restricted free agent but he very well could be re-signed at a lower price.
Could the Cardinals draft a cornerback? It is always possible, but it won’t be a focus.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 258
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