Arizona Cardinals Could Address Safety Departures in Draft

The Arizona Cardinals lost some talented youth at safety with the free agent defections of Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger

It’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals will be looking for a cornerback or two during this month’s NFL Draft. In fact, a cover guy is such a need that the club may use their first-round pick to obtain one. But that’s not the only part of the Arizona secondary that needs to be addressed.

The Cardinals lost two young, talented safeties during this offseason’s free agency period. The loss of Tony Jefferson wasn’t a big surprise, but then D.J. Swearinger also flew the coop. The departures may force Cards’ management to use at least one of their eight draft picks on the position.

Though Tyrann Mathieu is just 24 years old, the safety/slot cornerback has been banged up for most of his professional career. Arizona’s coaching staff is crossing all of their fingers and toes, hoping their young star can play a full schedule. He has yet to play in all 16 games of a season.

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Free agent addition Antoine Bethea has remained productive, but at 32 is no spring chicken. Tyvon Branch is not too far behind Bethea in the age department at 30 years old. Christian Bryant, Trevon Hartfield and sometimes safety Harlan Miller are youthful but extremely wet behind the ears.

Unless the Cardinals are planning on using the 13th overall pick on a safety (not likely), top prospects Malik Hooker and Jamal Adams are probably unattainable. Ohio State’s Hooker tallied 74 tackles and seven interceptions in 2016. Adams had five picks and 209 tackles during his three campaigns at LSU.

Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers could be a possibility for the Cards in the second round. The 6’1″, 213 pound dynamo had 66 tackles and a pick last year. The Cardinals brass did meet with Peppers last month.

Other second-round possibilities include Budda Baker of Washington and Obi Melifonwu of the University of Connecticut. Baker is a bit undersized (5’10”, 195), but nevertheless managed 199 tackles and five interceptions in three seasons. Melifonwu is a huge specimen (6’4″, 224) who registered impressive numbers from 2013-16 (349 tackles and eight picks).

Alabama’s Eddie Jackson is better in coverage (10 career interceptions) than at tackling, and is projected to be selected in the mid-rounds. Utah’s Marcus Williams had excellent statistics from 2014-16 (188 tackles, 11 picks). Marcus Maye of Florida is a smart, versatile safety who’s also projected to be drafted in the mid-rounds.

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Justin Evans of Texas A&M, Josh Jones of North Carolina State and Louisiana Tech’s Xavier Woods are also a part of a very strong group of draftees. The Cardinals would be smart to add one to the nest. It’s just another intriguing element to the 2017 NFL Draft.

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