Arizona Cardinals: Five players poised for increased roles in 2017

Harlan Miller

The scouting reports on defensive back Harlan Miller coming out of Southeastern Louisiana University, indicated that he was a cornerback who played with a combination of energy, tenacity, and solid technique. Unfortunately, Miller’s draft stock took a significant hit due to a subpar showing at the NFL draft combine – including a disconcerting 4.65 second 40-yard dash.

The Cardinals selected Miller near the end of the sixth round, and he began the regular season on the practice squad. In the NFL, however, opportunity is often a matter of time and attrition. After losing defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Tyvon Branch to injuries, the Cardinals promoted Miller to the active roster in week 16.

But the injury bug had not finished making its rounds. Starting safety Tony Jefferson was injured early in the week 16 game against Seattle, and Miller was called upon to play safety. Following the game, Coach Bruce Arians raved about Miller’s performance.

So is it cornerback or safety? The answer is “yes.”

The big question going into 2017, however, is what position will Miller play? He was drafted as a cornerback, but shows promise at safety. So is it cornerback or safety?

The answer is “yes.”

The Cardinals like versatile players on defense. They converted safety Deone Bucannon into a hybrid linebacker/box safety; they utilize Tyrann Mathieu at both nickel corner and safety; and they brought in free agent Tyvon Branch – a safety who played corner in college. A defensive back with Miller’s ability to play both corner and safety is valuable in any NFL defense. In the Cardinals’ scheme, however, players with this skillset are indispensable.

Add to this equation the likelihood that the Cardinals will lose at least one defensive back in free agency, and it appears that Miller has an excellent opportunity to make the 53-man roster in 2017.

Prediction: Miller earns a spot on the roster. Though he does come into the season as a starter at either cornerback or safety, he becomes a regular part of the defensive back rotation, and makes a few starts filling in for injured players.