Experienced cornerback should be on the Cardinals to-do list

The Arizona Cardinals need to be on the hunt for an experienced cover guy to add to the team’s current group of young cornerbacks.

Entering the current offseason, it was no secret that the Arizona Cardinals needed to address a deficiency at the cornerback position.

Back on March 16th, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim did add a reinforcement to that area of the defense. Jeff Gladney, a former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, was signed to a two-year deal. Despite the potential that the 25-year-old possesses, the truth of the matter is that Gladney has logged just one season at the NFL level.

Gladney joins an inexperienced group that also includes Byron Murphy and Marco Wilson, two additional Arizona cover guys who have participated in just four professional campaigns between them. While youth is normally considered a good thing, it may not be a bad idea for Keim to acquire a veteran corner who has been around the block a time or two.

While several of the league’s top free-agent cornerbacks have already found work, there are others who are still seeking employment. Players who can still contribute to a secondary, and at the same time are equipped to pass on some valuable wisdom to the Cards’ group of youngsters.

Arizona Cardinals can still look to the free-agent market for a veteran corner

Sorry if it’s beginning to sound like a broken record, but wouldn’t Stephon Gilmore look fantastic in a Cardinals uniform? Keim would not be doing his due diligence if he hasn’t at least kicked the tires on the five-time Pro Bowler.

Joe Haden is a three-time Pro Bowler who has divided his 12 years as a pro between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. The 32-year-old has yet to sign a contract after making 11 solid starts for the Steelers last fall.

Kyle Fuller suited up for the Denver Broncos last season after spending the first seven campaigns of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears. The 30-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler who would be an excellent addition to Arizona’s defensive backfield.

Janoris “Jackrabbit” Jenkins has logged 10 seasons in the league for four different professional franchises. The still-effective 33-year-old is once again searching for work following his one and only campaign with the Tennessee Titans in 2021.

It would benefit the Cards to add an experienced cover guy to the mix sometime before the opening game in September. There are still capable options still out there on the open market if Keim and his cohorts would only look.