Cardinals Listed as Best Fit for Free Agent Corner
The Arizona Cardinals are set to see cornerback Byron Murphy hit the open market this offseason, and there's no clear indication of where the team stands on bringing him back for a second contract.
"Zach [Allen] and Byron [Murphy] are both good players. We'd love to keep them. There's obviously going to be a financial component, a business component that comes into that. Those discussions will continue to take place over the next couple of weeks as we approach the start of the league year," said general manager Monti Ossenfort at the NFL Combine.
"We'd love to keep everybody, we'd love to pay everybody. Unfortunately the way the league's set up that's not always possible, but those discussions certainly are going to continue to take place."
While a cornerback at No. 3 (if they don't trade out) is unlikely, the Cardinals could very well turn to either the next six rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft or free agency to get help in the secondary.
Bleacher Report says Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry - who played for head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis this past season - is a top fit for the Cardinals.
Cardinals Listed as Best Fit for Free Agent Corner
"After getting released by the New York Giants last offseason, Bradberry bet on himself by taking a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. He responded with his first All-Pro season which included holding opposing quarterbacks to a 51.6 passer rating," said Alex Ballentine.
"Bradberry benefitted from playing behind the best pass rush and across from another good corner in Darius Slay. His running mate is a little smaller and more agile, leaving Bradberry to get favorable matchups against the bigger, strong receivers from the other side.
"A reunion with Jonathan Gannon also makes sense. The Eagles defensive coordinator oversaw his All-Pro season and is now the head coach of the Cardinals. Byron Murphy needs to be re-signed, but he could be a dollar-store version of Slay with his 5'11", 190-pound frame."
The Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars also were listed.
With the strong Eagles connection, we previously tabbed Bradberry in our Five Eagles Players Cardinals Should Target piece.
Even if Murphy doesn't leave the facility, the Cardinals shouldn't pull themselves out of the running for a top corner like Bradberry. Will his All-Pro nod price him out of Arizona? The least the team could do is find out.
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