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Arizona Cardinals add Benwikere, see others move on

By Scott Allen

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 7: Cornerback Bene Benwikere #25 of the Carolina Panthers comes off the field with the ball after a fumble by running back Bobby Rainey #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 7: Cornerback Bene Benwikere #25 of the Carolina Panthers comes off the field with the ball after a fumble by running back Bobby Rainey #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images) /
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One corner was added to the Arizona Cardinals roster on Friday while two others found new homes elsewhere

The Arizona Cardinals gained a cornerback and lost two others in free agency over the last couple of days.  They are likely not done yet either.

The Cardinals signed cornerback Bene Bernwikere.  The signing was a bit of a surprise given that three others were in for reported visits recently.

Still, adding a former Carolina Panthers player is not a surprise in itself given the relationship with former Panthers defensive coordinator and now Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks.  He played with the Panthers from 2014-2016.

Bernwikere played with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 and Miami Dolphins in 2016 with non-regular season stops with the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals.  He played in 12 games last season but didn’t start any.  He had just two tackles last year.

Needless to say, the move indicates he has been added for depth but the Cardinals aren’t done yet.  They lost two other cornerbacks over the weekend.

On Saturday they lost Justin Bethel to the Atlanta Falcons.  Bethel really had an up and down career in Arizona.  Stronger on special teams, he struggled over the last couple of seasons trying to nail down a starting spot.

On Friday, they lost a fan favorite in Tramon Williams.  Some fans were disappointed the Cardinals didn’t do more to try and keep him.  He was thought to be in the mix for 2018 the second starting spot at cornerback when the 2017 season ended.  Williams joins the Packers.

The Cardinals had been recently been connected to a visit from former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Robert McClain.  He too played for Wilks with the Panthers in 2015 and 2016.  He would be a decent pickup.

Next: Arizona Cardinals move on from Jared Veldheer

McClain started nine of the 14 games he played in last season. He had three interceptions with five passes defensed.  We shall see what happens this week.

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