Overview
- Head Coach: Bruce Arians
- Defensive Coordinator: James Bettcher
- Defensive Back Coach: Nick Rapone
- Base Defense Scheme: Diverse Packages and looks
- Transactions: CB Shaq Richardson and S Ross Weaver signed, Antonio Cromartie left in Free Agency
- Draft Picks:
Projected Starters
| CornerBack # 1: | Patrick Peterson | |
| CornerBack # 2: | Jerraud Powers | |
| Strong Safety : | Tyrann Mathieu | |
| Free Safety : | Rashad Johnson | |
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The Numbers
Total Fantasy Points Allowed to WR: 356.32 Average Fantasy Points Per game against to WR: 22.27 Total Receiving Touchdowns Allowed:12 Total Receiving Yards Allowed:2,823 Average Receiving yards per game against: 176.44
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Strengths
After a dominating 2014 performance the Arizona Cardinals have been raided by teams around the league. First their defensive coordinator Todd Bowles left to become the head coach of the New York Jets. Antonio Cromartie soon followed him to New York. The Cardinals are filling both positions internally with James Bettcher being promoted from linebackers coach and Jerraud Powers taking over the starting corner position opposite Patrick Peterson. Not much is expected to change with Bettcher taking over. The defensive schemes that the Cardinals throw out change on a weekly basis. They have one of the most diverse looks in the NFL. It is to their strength that they are constantly scheming and game planning to take away an opponents best offensive weapons. The main question that needs to be answered is if Patrick Peterson can return to his Pro Bowl form. He had a down year citing diabetes and low blood sugar levels for his poor play. Reports out of camp have been raving about his play as he has cut weight and looks to be ready to return to form. Jerraud Powers was also a huge plus to this defensive backfield in 2014. He is the main reason this team let Cromartie walk in free agency. The coaching staff believes in Powers and he seems ready to take on the starting role opposite Peterson. Tyrann Mathieu is a playmaker at the strong safety position. He usually slides into the slot on obvious passing downs and always seem to have a knack for making big plays. Questions abound after his 2014 performance as he never really looked comfortable or back from his 2013 knee injury. Week 1 he seemed to be all over the field however. If he can continue to have performances like he did week 1 then this will definitely be a unit to avoid for DFS.
Weaknesses
The one weak spot in this defensive backfield is at the starting free safety position with Rashad Johnson. In his first full year as a starter last year he was extremely inconsistent. If he struggles Tony Jefferson could come along and see more snaps. He saw a lot of snaps with Tyrann Mathieu banged up last year but his play was less then stellar in 2014.
Overall Outlook
This was a dominating defense in 2014 that thrives on creating pressure and giving opposing offenses tons of different looks. Even through injuries Bowles was able to scheme a plan to stop defenses week in and week out. Is new defensive coordinator James Bettcher able to do the same things? The key early on will be if Tyrann Mathieu can return from his injury at full speed. Week 1 he definitely looked all the way back to his pre injury form. I am not targetting any receivers facing off against this defensive backfield unless we have an injury or their play grossly erodes.
