Free agent cornerback Bashaud Breeland met with the Cardinals earlier this month, and though he left without a contract in place, a union between two parties doesn’t seem to be off the table. Arizona wants to evaluate Breeland again in a “few weeks,” reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Breeland’s health is almost certainly the issue at hand, as the 26-year-old saw his three-year, $24MM deal with the Panthers nullified after he failed his physical. A freak injury resulted in a cut on Breeland’s foot that will require a skin graft, meaning he won’t be able to sign until he heals, which could be at some point this summer. Overall, the health issue — which occurred when a stray golf ball hit Breeland and re-opened a wound he suffered in grade school — sounds relatively minor, and likely won’t scare clubs for the long-term.
After meeting with Breeland, the Cardinals made a separate move for cornerback help, acquiring Jamar Taylor from the Browns in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round pick. Taylor, who has since adjusted his contract, appears to be line to start opposite Patrick Peterson, filling the hole left by free agent defection Tramon Williams. However, Taylor does have ample experience in the slot, meaning he could theoretically move inside if Arizona does ultimately add Breeland.
His current health question marks aside, Breeland has been an unqualified success since entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft. Despite being selected 102nd overall, Breeland has started the 13th-most games of any player drafted in 2014. Last year, Pro Football Focus graded Breeland as the league’s No. 54 cornerback among 121 qualifiers, while he finished 16th in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was effective at stopping opposing receivers short of the sticks.