Cards seek help at defensive back

to start. Neither player, however, is a sure thing. This draft is so deep in cornerbacks that a starter could be found in the third round, according to draft experts. At safety, the Cardinals are going to miss Tony Jefferson. They could try to find a replacement in this draft. The team would get a huge boost if Tyrann Mathieu really is 100 percent after a second ACL surgery in three years. Mathieu, Tyvon Branch and Harlan Miller have the flexibility to play both safety and corner, which is a bonus.

Depth chart

Tyrann Mathieu (nickel). Backups: Elie Bouka, Brian Dixon, Harlan Miller, Brandon Williams, Ronald Zamort. Starters, S: Antoine Bethea, Tyrann Mathieu. Backups: Tyvon Branch, Harlan Miller, Christian Bryant, Trevon Hartfield. Need rating: High. Anyone playing opposite of Peterson is going to be picked on and is going to give up plays. The question is, can that person make his share of plays, too? That hasn’t happened for the Cardinals in a while, which makes taking a corner with the 13th overall pick possible. So is selecting a versatile safety who can cover as well as play close to the line of scrimmage. There’s a learning curve to doing that, however.

Mac’s top 5

backs: 1. S Jamal Adams, 6-1, 213, Louisiana State 2. S Malik Hooker, 6-2, 205, Ohio State 3. CB Marshon Lattimore, 6-0, 192, Ohio State 4. CB Marlon Humphrey, 6-1, 198, Alabama 5. S Jabrill Peppers, 6-1, 205, Michigan