3 Cardinals With Something to Prove in 2023

Simmons arguably has the most at stake heading into this season. 

The Cardinals didn't pick up his fifth-year option, effectively making him a free agent after the 2023 season. 

After playing a variety of different positions, Simmons is finally settling into a permanent role with the defensive secondary. He's been practicing with safeties, though it's unknown how he'll fit with Arizona's strong starting duo of Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker. 

Will the Cardinals utilize all three on the field at the same time? Will Simmons fill Byron Murphy's role as a slot/nickelback? That's where Simmons played most of his snaps last season.

Simmons' unique blend of size, length and athleticism has yet to be fully unlocked. Time is ticking for his potential to become more than just that - potential.

Will Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis be able to get the most out of him? For everyone's sake, they sure hope so. 

We don't have to travel far on the defensive side of the ball to find our next candidate in cornerback Marco Wilson. 

Wilson has always played as a CB2 behind someone in Arizona's defense, though 2023 will be his first opportunity to be a legitimate CB1 for the Cardinals after Murphy departed for free agency.

Unlike Simmons - we've seen some really good things from Wilson in his natural position. Yet we've also seen some wildly inconsistent play from the young corner. 

Wilson has flashed the instincts he showed at Florida before the memorable cleat-yeet against LSU, but he's also been found consistently behind in coverage, particularly in plays deep down the field. 

2023 will be Wilson's opportunity to prove he's refined his craft enough to be the building block in Arizona's cornerback room moving forward. 

Brown is the most established out of the trio listed, but there's a golden opportunity ahead of him. 

This won't be Brown's first stint as Arizona's WR1. Though DeAndre Hopkins was on the roster last season, Brown filled his shoes while Hopkins served a six-game suspension. 

In that span, Brown registered 43 receptions for 485 yards and three touchdowns. He looked strong until a foot injury sidelined him for a few weeks - and even then, he was still able to make a play or two behind Hopkins when both were on the field.

2023 is a big year for Brown, as the opportunity to once again show he can be a top wideout arrives in the final year of his rookie contract. 

If Brown continues on the initial trajectory he showed last year, he'll make himself some serious dough - whether that's from Arizona or elsewhere.