The Arizona Cardinals played 2019 relying on a three rookie defensive backs for much of the season — cornerback Byron Murphy and safeties Jalen Thompson and Deionte Thompson. The defense will have starting cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford returning to play a full season, but with no new additions made to the defensive secondary in free agency or the draft, these now second-year players will be counted on to be major contributors.
“I’m looking forward to those guys taking huge steps,” defensive coordinator Vane Joseph said in a video conference last week.
He spoke about each of the three players.
Byron Murphy
Joseph noted Murphy played more than any rookie defensive back last season. “That’s going to pay dividends,” he said.
“Last year I thought he got run down a little bit,” he explained. “He played his best ball early and kind of sluffed off late. But I think what he did last year as far as playing that many reps is going to benefit him this year.”
Murphy had 78 tackles, one interception and 10 pass breakups.
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