@joshweinfuss The Cardinals did not spend a top draft pick on CB, does that mean the Cardinals have faith in Bethal and Williams?
— Nathan (@TheNathanKropp) May 4, 2017
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Don’t let draft position be the shiny light that blinds.
Just because Rudy Ford wasn’t drafted on the first or second day doesn’t mean he isn't the cornerback the Cardinals have in mind to start Week 1. Obviously, there’s a lot of time between now and Sept. 10, but Ford was drafted with the idea that he’ll compete with both Justin Bethel and Brandon Williams for the starting cornerback job opposite Patrick Peterson and potentially win the job.
He has one thing neither Bethel nor Williams possesses: long-term experience as a defensive back. Remember, Bethel played some defensive back in college but was primarily a gunner for the Cardinals for the first three seasons of his career, and Williams is a converted running back who became a cornerback just two years ago. For all we know Ford may not pan out. But, then again, he may.
I think the cornerback position is still a significant concern for the Cardinals, and drafting Ford was another opportunity for them to address it. I wouldn’t look at the Cards’ decision to not draft a cornerback in the first three rounds as a sign they have complete faith in Bethel and/or Williams. If Marshon Lattimore had dropped two more spots and was available at No. 13, I think it’s safe to say the Cardinals would’ve had a long discussion about drafting him.
