The NFL is a "what have you done for me lately?" league. This bitter truth means that even solidified starters are not safe from having their jobs taken by newcomers.
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has made it clear that he wants to have no major roster needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Through his work in free agency, he has accomplished that feat.
The balance of Arizona's roster allows the team to target the best players available with their picks in the upcoming draft. This makes the positions of current Cardinals starters as unstable as ever. Starting jobs are not safe for any non-superstar on this roster.
One of those non-superstars is cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.
Sean Murphy-Bunting could be replaced by a rookie
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting signed a three-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, after he spent the beginning of his career with the Buccaneers and Titans. At $8.5 million per year, the deal indicated that Murphy-Bunting would command a starting job.
He did, but the results have been mixed.
Murphy-Bunting led the Cardinals with three interceptions in 2024, but his wins in coverage were few and far between. He allowed completions on over 70% of passes thrown his way and earned a coverage grade of just 53.1 from PFF.
He primarily played on the outside, with Garrett Williams in the slot and Max Melton on the opposite boundary.
Cardinals fans were often frustrated by Murphy-Bunting's inconsistency. Arizona did not add any cornerbacks in free agency, but they may target the position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Cardinals have been linked to multiple cornerbacks in the weeks leading up to the draft. Both Michigan's Will Johnson and Ole Miss's Trey Amos were brought in for visits, and Texas product Jahdae Barron has been picking up steam as a potential Arizona draftee.
Johnson and Amos play primarily on the boundary, while Barron projects to be more of a nickel cornerback. If the Cardinals do spend an early pick on a cornerback, Murphy-Bunting is likely to be the odd man out in the starting lineup. Both Max Melton and Garrett Williams look like long-term starters early in their careers.
Murphy-Bunting has two years left on his current contract. Even if he loses his starting position, he will likely be on the roster in 2025. If he fails to contribute, he could be on the way out next offseason.