Arizona Cardinals in Free Agency

Morris Claiborne – CB
Previous Team: Dallas Cowboys
Years Experienced: 5 Years
5-11, 192 Pounds

Some players live up to the lofty goals set for them when they come into the NFL, some just don’t fit into the systems they are set up to play in at the next level, while some are hampered by injuries. Claiborne has been a young man who has been in Dallas for a little bit, and I think anyone who watched the Cowboys saw how much he struggled playing the scheme. Not just the scheme, but injuries have proved to be too much for the lanky and talented young man formerly from LSU. He has been a bust since entering the league, but don’t let that bother you on the possible low-risk high-reward type of player Claiborne could eventually become. He has obvious physical attributes that set him apart from the other prospects when he was coming out in the draft, and we all saw the potential in the man.

He has fizzled in the production category, that will probably hamper the type of money that Claiborne will command in free agency, and the Cardinals could be the team to capitalize in that deal. He does seem to have some good tape on him, he plays fairly well in man-to-man coverage, using his height to catch the receivers in a trail position, but he seems to do that quite a bit because of the lack of speed. A lot of receivers matched with Claiborne try to out-run him, and he isn’t very slow. Claiborne does need to get better in his physical press and run, and with teachers (and previous Louisiana State teammates), Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu could be heavily relied on to transition him to stardom.

Claiborne really needs patience, he could very well be the type of player that the Cardinals envisioned playing opposite Patrick Peterson, and he could eventually become the physical corner left out on an island. Patrick is already pretty much taking the best receiver out of the game, the Cardinals just need someone who can stay in coverage long enough to allow the defense to keep pressure on the opposing quarterback. I love his size, can’t coach size, but he get’s down on himself, he needs someone to help him keep his head up.

Estimated contract: 1 Year, $850K ($150K for pro bowl appearance)

Next: Finally, a pass-rusher