PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a trade that would bring cornerback Jamar Taylor from the Cleveland Browns, two people with knowledge of the situation said Friday.
The people, who sought anonymity because the trade had not been officially announced, said the deal was expected to be completed Friday.
The trade would help fill a significant need for the Cardinals — a cornerback to play opposite Patrick Peterson. The Browns would receive a sixth-round draft pick.
The impending deal was first reported by NFL.com’s Ian Rappaport.
The 27-year-old Taylor played the last two seasons with the Browns, with three interceptions and 23 passes defenced in 31 games. He played his first three NFL seasons with Miami after being drafted in the second round out of Boise State. He was acquired by Cleveland in a draft-day trade in 2016.
Taylor was a team captain but the Browns have been shopping him since before the draft. New general manager John Dorsey has completely overhauled Cleveland’s secondary and Taylor would be the sixth player he’s traded since taking over the team in December.
Taylor’s fate was sealed when the Browns drafted Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward with the No. 4 overall pick last month.
Finding a second cornerback to play opposite Peterson has been a perennial issue for the Cardinals. With Peterson one of the best in the game, teams often didn’t even try passing in his direction, instead targeting the other defender. Arizona didn’t address the position in the draft until the sixth round, when they selected Chris Campbell out of Penn State.
The team drafted Brandon Williams out of Texas A&M in the third round in 2016 but the converted running back often has struggled when given opportunities.
New Cardinals coach Steve Wilks is a former defensive backs coach with the Carolina Panthers. He was defensive co-ordinator there a year ago.
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