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Arizona Cardinals: 5 offseason needs

By Parker Hurley

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) walks to the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) walks to the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) walks to the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) walks to the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Cornerback

The biggest weakness that got exposed on the Cardinals throughout the 2016 regular season was their second cornerback. From their first game, it was Jimmy Garoppolo boosting his offseason stock by dropping a few passes on their secondary options. The team has Patrick Peterson locked up, and Mathieu can roam in the slot, but this team needs any sort of help on the outside to avoid being relentlessly picked on.

Looking at the current roster, Harlan Miller, Brandon Williams, and Justin Bethel are the only real in house players who can take a step forward next season. With that said, their best bet would be to bring in a player from outside the organization to make that move. This could very easily be a first round pick type of move, and the top cornerback will likely be on the board at their pick.

They also could obviously look towards free agency here. One interesting name to keep an eye on is Morris Claiborne. Claiborne had a strong 2016, but injury had him miss nine games in his free agent season. He has been labeled a bust before his strong start, and with the injury questions, he will be looking for a one-year deal to prove himself and hope for a big pay day. Playing opposite of Patrick Peterson for a full season could certainly improve his stock.

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Claiborne could be combined with a pick, or any veteran can be combined with a pick in the first four rounds, but this team has to hit cornerback, and they have to hit it hard this offseason.

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