The Arizona Cardinals have already added two veteran cornerbacks since starting corner Robert Alford went down with a season-ending pectoral injury last week. They added B.W. Webb and Ken Crawley this past week.
They are expected to add another.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, they intend to sign Dre Kirkpatrick, whom they have had in town for a visit.
#AZCardinals are planning to sign FA CB Dre Kirkpatrick, source said, pending his physical. He’s on a visit there and assuming all works out to finalize the deal, he would reunite with DC Vance Joseph. They were together with the #Bengals & Dre credits Joseph with his development
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2020
Kirkpatrick is entering his ninth NFL season, having played his entire career thus far with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been a full-time starter the last five seasons but played only six games last year and finished the season on injured reserve with a hyperextended knee.
He has length at 6-2 and has 10 career interceptions. Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was his position coach for two seasons with the Bengals.
According to Rapoport, Kirkpatrick credits Joseph for his development into a starting-caliber player.
Assuming the deal happens, he would be the favorite to start on the outside, allowing Byron Murphy to move back inside where he was slated to play this season.
Kirkpatrick, assuming he is healthy this year, is every bit the player Alford is. This could work out well for the Cardinals, who are counting on their cornerbacks this season.
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