Ranking the top 5 free agent cornerbacks for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023

The Arizona Cardinals will most likely need to go after a cornerback in 2023, given how thin they still are at the position.

The Arizona Cardinals will need some help at cornerback if they fail to re-sign Byron Murphy Jr and Antonio Hamilton. But even if they re-sign the duo, chances are, they may look into free agency to see if they can’t further improve the group. 

Arizona does have a good chess piece in Marco Wilson, but there is little behind him at the moment, sans perhaps Christian Matthew. However, Matthew fits better as a depth piece instead of a surefire starter. 

Given the desperation at the position, I’ve put together a list of five free agent corners who would be great fits in the desert. Not all of the names listed below are going to be full-time starters, but given their familiarity with some on the Cardinals coaching staff or the front office, they may just fit right in. Let’s meet them. 

Top 5 free agent cornerbacks for the Arizona Cardinals

5 - Joshua Kalu

After spending his first few seasons playing special teams, Joshua Kalu appeared in 494 snaps for the Tennessee Titans, and put up a decent campaign. The 27-year-old logged five starts across 16 games, registered his first career interception, and deflected five passes. 

He isn’t an all-world corner, but he would be great for the Arizona Cardinals if they were looking to sign a face familiar to Ossenfort on a one-year “prove-it” deal. Overall, the Cards can sign Kalu to slide in as a nickel corner, while they can go after a CB1 or a CB2 in the NFL Draft. 

4 - Greedy Williams

Greedy Williams is one of those players who didn’t fare well during his first NFL stop, but you also can’t count him out. Injuries basically derailed his time with the Cleveland Browns, but he also has potential to be one of those players who could excel with a change of scenery. 

His 2022 season was basically a wash, but Williams’ 2021 numbers show us his potential. In 16 games and eight starts, Williams logged a pair of interceptions and allowed just a 55.2% completion percentage. Opposing passers had a meager 74.0 rating against him. 

If the Arizona Cardinals want a potential sleeper, they need to sign Williams to a one-year deal and see what he can bring. If the 25-year-old excels, give him an extension. 

3 - Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Jones is another name Ossenfort is familiar with, given his time with the free agent corner in New England. He is also the first cornerback on this list capable of being a surefire starter for at least one season. 

Although Jones will be 30 in 2023, he still plays at a high level, so if he doesn’t re-sign with New England, the Cards need to at least take a look. Last year, the seven-year veteran logged 4 interceptions, a pick six, 3 forced fumbles, and 11 deflected passes. It’s highly likely that Ossenfort will have the seasoned corner high on his list of free agent targets. 

2 - Cameron Sutton

Cameron Suton is a favorite of ours at Raising Zona, and one of a few defensive players we’ve penned a separate piece on. While he will be 28 this year, Sutton is yet another cornerback coming into his own, given his 15 passes defensed and 3 interceptions. 

At 28, he could also slide in as the CB1 for the Arizona Cardinals while Marco Wilson stays in the CB2 role. Sutton also has plenty of experience, much like Jones, which will be valuable if the Cards cornerback room is going to be young and inexperienced. 

1 - James Bradberry

And finally, we have James Bradberry. He is the oldest cornerback in these rankings along with Jones, but thanks to his familiarity with head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, Bradberry would most likely be higher than anyone else on Ossenfort’s list of free agent targets. 

If you see the Arizona Cardinals snag the veteran corner from the Philadelphia Eagles, it shouldn’t surprise you. And you should also be intrigued here, given Bradberry’s performance last season when he deflected 17 passes, picked off three more, and even scored on a pick six. 

Not only would Bradberry provide veteran leadership in the defensive backfield along with Budda Baker, he would also lead the locker room and a defense transitioning to a new system. Overall, the Cardinals can’t go wrong with Bradberry, and he would be a prize free agent addition to this rebuilding team. Look for, at the absolute least, the Cardinals to make a run at him. 

(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)