Antoine

Bethea

Bethea, a 13-year veteran, nearly played every snap for the Cardinals in 2018, but he was not the same player as he once was. Bethea will get snaps with the Landon Collins-less Giants and provides leadership, but the Giants need to re-stock their safety group via the draft.

The move saves the Cardinals $4.75 million against the cap. A 13-year veteran, Bethea played almost every snap on defense as a 16-game starter last season, but his play took a step back. Even so, he should be able to find a job if he wants to continue his career. Bethea will turn 35 in July.

Bethea, who studied at Howard, is expected to contribute on special teams.

Mike Doss has recovered from his calf injury but is running with the second team. Bethea is a great IDP sleeper if he stays with the ones.

He practiced in full on Thursday and Friday, so he should be able to play on Monday night unless he suffered a setback. Other defensive starters on the injury report included DT Fili Moala (ankle) and FS Antoine Bethea (ankle), who are both questionable. The smallish front seven of the Colts has its hands full with power-back LeGarrette Blount, who is staring down one of his best matchups of the year.

Having spent his entire career with Indianapolis, Wells considers Bethea the “backbone of the secondary.” Bethea turns 30 before next season, but is still playing at a reasonably high level and the Colts lack a viable in-house replacement. Pro Football Focus gave Bethea a positive 2013 run defense grade, but considered him slightly sub-par in coverage. Bethea is Rotoworld’s No. 4 free agent safety, behind Jairus Byrd, T.J. Ward, and Donte Whitner.

This is our first blurb on Bethea in nearly four years. He’s been the model of consistency. Bethea, 29, has produced over 100 tackles in five of the past six seasons and hasn’t missed a game since 2007. He just wrapped up a four-year, $27 million contract and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 53 safety. He and SS LaRon Landry are similar players as in-the-box safeties, so it’s fair to wonder if the Colts will opt to go after a centerfield-type free safety.

Bethea is fully healthy after missing the final eight games of 2015. He was having a down year before his injury, but will return as the starter opposite Eric Reid. With Jimmie Ward moving to corner full time, Jaquiski Tartt projects to open the season as San Francisco’s No. 3 safety.

The writing was on the wall for this one. Once the 49ers indicated slot CB Jimmie Ward would be moved to safety in new DC Robert Saleh’s defense, the Niners had a logjam at the position. Bethea, 33 in July, is the odd man out as the team undergoes a rebuild. With Ward likely to take over at free safety, it leaves Eric Reid and Jaquiski Tartt as options at strong safety. Bethea played the most snaps (1,125) of any safety in the league last season. His release saves $5.75 million.

Cut by San Francisco two days ago, Bethea will slide in as Tony Jefferson’s replacement. The 12th-year pro struggled in 2016, but could be rejuvenated by playing for an actual defense. If nothing else, Bethea is a snap hog.