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Dre Kirkpatrick is one of the notable cornerbacks still available in free agency and his availability could come to an end soon. While Kirkpatrick hopes to find a team for the upcoming season, the Arizona Cardinals hosted him for a visit, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
This is interesting: #AZCardinals are hosting CB Dre Kirkpatrick on a visit, per the wire. A relationship with DC Vance Joseph helps.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2020
After being taken with the No. 17 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Kirkpatrick has spent his first eight seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. It just so happens that Vance Joseph, the defensive coordinator of the Cardinals, has experience working with Kirkpatrick.
From 2014-15, Joseph was the defensive backs coach for the Bengals. Provided that, Kirkpatrick would likely have a sense of what Joseph's defense wants to do, which decreases the time he'd need to get adjusted.
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On the other hand, Arizona recently lost veteran Robert Alford for the 2020 season due to a pectoral injury. Despite signing with Arizona before the 2019 season, Alford has failed to log a single snap with the team. With Alford going down with an injury again, the Cardinals are seeking a veteran cornerback to replace him.
Of course, Arizona is confident in the duo of All-Pro Patrick Peterson and Byron Murphy. Besides Peterson and Murphy, the next two cornerbacks on the depth chart are Jalen Davis and Kevin Peterson. Taking that into consideration, the team could still use a reliable depth option at the cornerback position.
During his eight years with the Bengals, Kirkpatrick produced three seasons where he accounted for three interceptions. While they don't need him to be an every-down starter, a pairing of Kirkpatrick and Arizona could make sense.
