This time last season, no one had a high opinion of Arizona Cardinals cornerback, Marco Wilson, but that changed in 2022.
Budda Baker is the best player in the Arizona Cardinals defensive backfield, no question. But Marco Wilson, the 136th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, was arguably the second best this year. You could also label him a Pro Bowl snub, he played so well.
Some called Wilson a bust heading into this season. But as a third day pick, it’s hard to label someone drafted so late a bust. Instead, Wilson should either be labeled a steal or one of many fourth round picks who never made it far in the NFL. After Year 2, however, he is definitely in the former.
Marco Wilson was a draft day steal for the Arizona Cardinals
In 14 games this season, Wilson allowed a completion percentage of just 57.5%, a 13% decrease from 2021. He also had three interceptions, including two in a Christmas Day loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On a Thursday Night affair in Week 7, Wilson logged both his first career interception and his first career pick six on the same play. Also in 2022, he allowed just 10.9 yards per completion, 6.3 yards per target, and just four passing touchdowns, all better numbers than his 2021 campaign.
In 2021, Wilson gave up a 120.8 quarterback rating, 43.7 points higher than what he gave up in 2022 (77.1). Finally, he was credited with 10 pass deflections, six more than he had last season.
Overall, Wilson will enter the 2023 season at one of the two starting cornerback positions. I am looking for either Byron Murphy if he re-signs or a potential early-round draft pick to take the CB2 spot.
Wilson is also part of a good, young core of Arizona Cardinals defenders that include Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins, Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Cam Thomas, and Myjai Sanders. If Zach Allen and Byron Murphy return, Wilson and the Redbirds defense will surprise a lot of people in 2023.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)
Article Source: PFF Data Shows Marco Wilson is ‘Lockdown’ Cornerback by Donnie Druin
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