Cardinals DC Vance Joseph expecting ‘huge steps’ from 2nd-year defensive backs

Byron Murphy, Jalen Thompson and Deionte Thompson all should be better after playing a lot as rookies.

Jalen Thompson

 (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)

Joseph pointed out how Thompson, who was selected by the Cardinals in the supplemental draft last July, had his first day with the team in training camp. He spent the whole season learning the defense on the fly. His learning paid off late in the year.

“I thought Jalen Thompson last year in the last month, month and a half of the season played really good football,” Joseph said. “As our defense played better, he played better.

“He obviously played good football late for us. He’s a great open-field tackler and he’s going to play the ball better.”

He finished the season with 57 tackles, one interception and three pass breakups.

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