5 Cornerbacks the Arizona Cardinals Should Target in Free Agency

The Arizona Cardinals survived an injury-riddled 2014 season and made it into the playoffs thanks in large part to an opportunistic defense that ranked fifth in the NFL in scoring (18.7 points per game allowed).

The Cardinals will have an opportunity to build on last year's 11-5 season in free agency and the draft; however, it appears that there is a strong chance that at least one piece of that defense will have to be outright replaced.

According to Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson, fellow defensive back Antonio Cromartie is likely to head back to New York to join new Jets head coach Todd Bowles, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com: "I'm definitely trying to keep him here. It's going to be tough, especially with [former Cardinals defensive coordinator] Todd [Bowles] being in New York and he loves [New York]. That's all he talks about is freaking New York." 

Cromartie was ranked 45th overall among cornerbacks last season, which makes him one of the better No. 2 corners and a tough piece of the puzzle to replace. 

With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the free-agent options the Cardinals should consider if Cromartie does indeed make an offseason getaway. 

Darrelle Revis

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Technically, Darrelle Revis is under contract with the New England Patriots through 2015; however, he is due to provide a total salary-cap hit of $25 million. 

This makes it possible that Revis will hit the open market if the Patriots cannot find a way to restructure his deal. If he does, the Cardinals (along with every other team) should consider making a run at him. 

Revis consistently ranks among the top defenders in the league and remains one of the best man-to-man corners. The problem here is that the Cardinals are currently projected to be about $8.6 million over the salary cap by Spotrac.com. 

It would take some pretty creative financial maneuvering in order to land Revis, but the prospect of pairing him with Peterson is incredibly enticing. 

Tramon Williams

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

A more realistic target is Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams.

Williams is 31 years old and coming off of a four-year, $33 million contract. His performance in 2015 isn't likely to be on par with a guy like Revis, but Williams isn't going to command Revis-like money on the open market, either.

This doesn't mean that Williams couldn't step into Cromartie's role and succeed. He produced 70 tackles and three interceptions in 2014 and was ranked 34th overall among cornerbacks.

Brandon Flowers

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

Another guy the Cardinals might want to consider is San Diego Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers.

Flowers will turn 29 before the start of free agency, and he will likely be looking to land a long-term deal. The 2014 season was Flowers' first and only season with the Chargers.

It was also a relatively productive year (52 tackles and three interceptions) and one that earned Flowers a cornerback ranking of 15th overall. 

Chris Culliver

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

If the Cardinals want a younger, long-term option, they might consider San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver.

Culliver is just 26 years old, and he is about to come off of his rookie contract. He missed the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL, but he rebounded with a 45-tackle, four-interception season in 2014.

Culliver was ranked 14th overall among cornerbacks last season. 

Kareem Jackson

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Kareem Jackson joins Revis in the long-shot category, mostly because it seems Jackson is very much interested in returning to the Houston Texans, per Daniel Gotera of KHOU 11 Sports: "I would definitely love to continue to be a Houston Texan. Great fan base here, I enjoy playing in NRG Stadium. With the new coaching staff and coach O'Brien, I definitely love what they're doing and bringing to the table."

Like Culliver, this will be Jackson's first foray into free agency, and it could land him a pretty lucrative contract. He was rated 11th overall among cornerbacks in 2014 after producing 57 tackles and three interceptions in 13 games.

Positional rankings via Pro Football Focus, unless otherwise noted.