Brandon

Williams

Corner Brandon Williams was also activated. Clay will compete with Ricky Seals-Jones, rookie Caleb Wilson, and Maxx Williams, who played most first-team snaps in the preseason opener. Clay was a healthy scratch down the stretch last year, so he shouldn’t be much of a factor in the passing game, even if the Cardinals are playing fast with Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray.

Since coach Bruce Arians took over, the Cardinals have played it safe and brought rookies along extremely slowly. Arians says Williams “will be an exception” and the position opposite Peterson is “Brandon’s job right now to lose.” Justin Bethel was expected to be the No. 2 corner, but he’s been sidelined following foot surgery. Williams stands 5'11/197. He spent only one college season at cornerback after converting from tailback.

It will likely come down to either Brandon Williams or Justin Bethel, though coach Bruce Arians has called Mike Jenkins a “sleeper.” Urban conceded that if the season started today, Williams would likely get the nod over Bethel, who has spent most of camp recovering from a foot injury. Whoever earns the starting job will be targeted frequently as teams tend to avoid throwing at Peterson.

Williams was outright benched, and Chiefs waivers castoff Cooper responded with two picks, housing one for a touchdown. Cooper will be the man going forward. A converted running back (seriously), Williams is far too raw to be playing meaningful snaps right now.

In other words, Williams got torched, with two particularly bad reads leading to huge plays for the Patriots. A recently-converted running back (seriously), Williams simply did not look ready to guard NFL wide receivers. It could be as early as Week 2 before the Cardinals are forced to turn to Justin Bethel.

Williams played running back for most of his Texas A&M career, and was a part-time corner last season. Therefore, this will be his first-ever full season at cornerback. Williams is going to get targeted mercilessly by enemy passers playing opposite Peterson. He is a name to keep in mind for DFS.

A dual running back/corner in college, Williams has 4.37 speed, but had an otherwise quiet Combine. At 5-foot-11, 197 pounds, he’s an average-sized corner. The Cardinals have had success with jack-of-all-trades type defenders, but Williams could mostly be limited to special teams as a rookie.

Williams (5'11/197) spent three years in College Station after transferring from Oklahoma, doubling at cornerback and tailback and posting a career 132-651-4 (4.93 YPC) rushing line. He contributed seven pass breakups on defense in 2015. Although Williams blazed 4.37 at the Combine, he showed limited explosiveness and agility. Williams may have to make his NFL living as a special teams gunner. He’s a multi-year project as a cornerback.