Arizona Cardinals: Safety camp preview

Nov 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Cardinals 38-19. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Cardinals could have a couple of tough rosters decisions to make at the end of training camp

There are some familiar faces and some not so familiar faces, at least around these parts, that are competing for safety spots on the Arizona Cardinals final 53-man roster. It starts and ends with Tyrann Mathieu.

Mathieu hasn’t been the same since his December 2015 injury that ended his season prematurely in Philadelphia. Then in 2016 the Cardinals tried to ease him in and play him in spots he didn’t appear necessarily comfortable in.

This season the Cardinals hope to get Mathieu back to his old self. We saw flashes of that towards the end of the 2016 season.

He’s not the only one competing however. The Cardinals also brought in veteran Antoine Bethea. The free-agent last played for the San Francisco 49ers.

He has some wear on those legs as he enters his 11th season in the NFL. He certainly can still play but how much can he help the Cardinals?

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Entering his 10th season is Tyvon Branch. He is the wild card in the bunch. Where does he fit? He made not one but two trips to the injured reserve last season.

He was designated for return but re-injured his groin his first game back last December. Now, he fights for a spot on the final roster.

Rounding out the position there is second-year player Harlan Miller, rookie Ironhead Gallon, and rookie Budda Baker. Baker was drafted in the second-round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Roster predictions:

Starters: Mathieu, Bethea

Backups: Baker, Miller

Practice squad possibility: Gallon

Gallon is likely to be a victim of the numbers game unless a guy like Branch can’t return to the player he used to be. Miller could also find himself the odd-man out. The competition, as it is with cornerback, will be tough.