Nov 17, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (88) and New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie is visiting with the Cardinals today less than a week after being released by the Jets, per Kimberly Martin of Newsday.
With Darrelle Revis, Alterraun Verner and Vontae Davis having all been signed, Cromartie is now one of the top available corners on the open market. He is known for being one of the league’s biggest corners at 6-2. Cromartie made Pro Bowls each of the last two seasons with the Jets, but was cut this offseason in order to save $9.5 million in cap space. His selection to this past Pro Bowl may have been more on reputation, as the Jets had a weak pass D and Cromartie did not have his best season.
The Cardinals signing a corner may seem peculiar, as with Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu, the team has possibly the best young CB tandem in the NFL. However, Mathieu may not enter 2014 at full strength after tearing his ACL late in the season. In a division where you absolutely need a great defense, the Cardinals would have a secondary almost as good as Seattle’s if Cromartie could play opposite Peterson and defend the bigger, possession wideouts while Mathieu plays as an overqualified nickel corner.
This is the first reported meeting Cromartie has had since being released, but with this news of him in Arizona, it’s likely he’ll draw interest from a few other teams around the league.