The Arizona Cardinals could be looking for a cornerback early in the NFL draft but they may already have a viable young corner
You can’t blame the Arizona Cardinals for possibly looking at drafting a cornerback early in the 2017 NFL Draft. They’ve been searching for a starter opposite Patrick Peterson.
The Cardinals tried Justin Bethel. That experiment failed. Last year they drafted Brandon Williams in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Williams was considered more of a project after being a converted running back in 2015. Williams had a couple of shining moments and found himself a starter opposite Peterson last season.
Many felt that the Cardinals were making a mistake but it was really more out of sheer necessity that Williams had to begin the season as a starter. It didn’t go very well.
Williams struggled against the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to start the season. He was replaced.
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Williams still managed to play in 13 games and ended up starting three of them last season. The Cardinals aren’t giving up on him and nor should we.
Yes, we criticized his play. However the pressure of him to perform with only one season of being a cornerback under his belt was a little unfair. The Cardinals gambled big time with him though.
If there is anything we’ve learned in the Steve Keim era is that the Cardinals don’t give up on someone easily. So while we look to the next drafted corner how about continuing to look at the ones they already have?
Williams will still be a work in progress in 2017 but he deserves a chance to show what he can do. Look for him to be in contention to be a starter again once training camp commences.
Look at it this way, he’s no Justin Bethel. He’s no failure in progress…yet.