Arizona Cardinals Top Five Position Battles

Battle for Second Cornerback: Jerraud Powers versus Justin Bethel

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver

(11) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) fight for a pass during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

In Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie, the Cardinals had one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL last season. Cromartie followed Bowles to the Jets in free agency, leaving a competition at the cornerback position opposite of Peterson.

After starting all 16 games in 2013 opposite of Peterson, before Cromartie arrived, Jerraud Powers is the most likely candidate to land the second cornerback position. That being said, the talented Justin Bethel could certainly give him a run for his money.

Most of Bethel’s game experience has come on special teams throughout his three-year career, but he has shown some nice upside at the cornerback position when given the chance. At 6-foot-tall, 200 pounds, Bethel has ideal size to be an outside cornerback, and has impressive speed and athleticism as well.

Bethel does not have near the defensive game experience of a guy like Powers, but he seems to be a more natural fit as an outside cornerback. Powers is undersized at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, and while his skills have mostly made up for that, it is not easy for him to cover the big receivers on the outside. Powers seemed to play much better in the slot last season, and while the Cardinals could simply slide him inside and allow Bethel to cover the outside in nickel packages, it is fair to wonder whether Bethel could be the better option when there are only two corners on the field as well.

Powers has been a very solid player for the Cardinals for a couple of seasons, but Bethel’s upside is certainly intriguing. Both players will undoubtedly see the field plenty, but it will be interesting to see how this battle shakes out in camp.

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