This week, the Arizona Cardinals brought in four defensive backs for a workout and physical. Oftentimes, GM Monti Ossenfort will bring in a handful of players just to update his player profile lists in the event that a player will become injured.
But this tryout had a specific focus: find some capable cornerbacks and safeties to help out.
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Before the season began, the defensive back group was viewed as one of the strengths of the roster. And held true until CB Will Johnson became injured and was lost for the year. Apparently, Johnson was the glue that held this room together, because the entire group has had coverage issues.
To be fair, the inability of the defensive line to put good pressure on their opponents when dropping back to pass has amplified what is wrong with the defensive backfield. They can’t cover a guy forever, and without a decent pass rush, opposing pass catchers will run their routes, then break off and attempt to find open spots. This has been giving the other team’s quarterback plenty of time to survey the field and find the open guy.
The four defensive backs are all safeties: D’Anthony Bell, Dan Jackson, Mark Perry, and Nate Valcarcel.
Bell (6’-1”, 211 pounds) won a National Championship at the D-2 level with the University of West Florida, went undrafted, and signed with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 50 games with seven starts for Cleveland and got a name for himself on punt and kickoff coverage teams. During free agency, he signed with the Carolina Panthers for one year and finally with the Seattle Seahawks. He has 76 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3 QB hits, 2 interceptions, 4 pass defenses, 1 forced fumble, and 3 pressures. He runs a 4.51.
Jackson (6’-1”, 195 pounds) played for Georgia and participated in two National Championships, then received a Senior Bowl invite. The Detroit Lions selected him in Round 7 of the 2025 NFL Draft and he has yet to appear in a regular-season game. He runs a 4.46.
Perry (6’0”, 211 pounds) played for Colorado and TCU. He went undrafted in 2024 and signed with the Miami Dolphins but was cut on the final cutdown. He has been signed to the practice squad of five NFL teams. He has played in zero NFL contests and runs a 4.42.
Valcarcel (6’-1”, 194 pounds) went undrafted in 2025 out of Northern Illinois. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams, was waived, and signed to the practice squad, where he remained for all of 2025. During the offseason, he inked a reserves/future contract and had a good training camp, but was waived on the final cutdown. He has played in zero games and runs a 4.53.
Out of all the safeties who worked out, Bell was the only one with a lot of game action, as he has played in 64 total NFL games. After the tryouts, the Cardinals inked Perry and placed him on the practice squad.
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