Rashad

Johnson

The Cards’ best defensive back in terms of coverage, Rhodes’ loss is the latest blow to a secondary that’s gotten shredded by every competent passing attack it’s faced. Arizona is on a Week 6 bye, but Rhodes can’t be expected to return in Week 7. Rashad Johnson should get the first crack at free safety. Continue to confidently target this pass defense in fantasy matchups.

Rhodes suffered a broken left foot in last week’s loss to the Vikings. The Cardinals’ best cover man will miss at least three games, turning this secondary into perhaps the worst in the league. (It arguably was already.) Look for Rashad Johnson to get the nod at free safety going forward.

Stephens-Howling received the second-round tender, which would net him $1.927 million if the current projections hold. Johnson, a former third-round pick, and Toler, a former fourth-rounder, were both assigned “original pick” tenders worth $1.26 million. Expect all three players to return to Arizona.

A nine-game starter in Arizona last season, the 26-year-old Johnson recorded 50 tackles but failed to force a turnover. A below-average run-support safety, Johnson has also showed limited playmaking ability in the pros with just one interception through three years. He’ll return as a reserve behind FS Kerry Rhodes and SS Adrian Wilson this season.

Johnson has been a core special teams player, and he’s also started 14 games since entering the league in 2009 as a third-rounder out of Alabama. In 2012, he recorded 20 tackles and two interceptions. Johnson could be viewed as an in-house replacement for Adrian Wilson, whose future with the team is cloudy.

The sides have mutual interest, so there’s reason to believe something will get done before free agency opens. Beat writer Mike Jurecki believes former Cardinals DC Ray Horton could recruit Johnson to Cleveland if he hits the market.

Johnson may not be available much longer. The Cardinals are trying “very hard” to lock him up after releasing Adrian Wilson on Friday. Johnson will likely head back to the desert, but a team could always swoop him and woo him away.

Johnson can play both safety spots, and the Browns have a need at free safety next to T.J. Ward. New Browns DC Ray Horton was Arizona’s defensive boss for the previous two seasons. The Cardinals are still fully expected to try to re-sign Johnson before free agency opens on March 12.

Keeping Johnson has been one of Arizona’s priorities, and there is mutual interest. After Adrian Wilson’s release, Johnson has a clear path to a starting job. There’s reason to believe the sides will work something out before free agency.

“Rashad Johnson was a guy last year that I felt really improved,” said GM Steve Keim. “Not only his cover ability but his consistency in the alley, coming into balance as a tackler.” Beat writer Kent Somers believes Keim envisions Johnson as a starter, perhaps replacing potential salary cap casualty Adrian Wilson.