Cornerback LeQuan Lewis, who signed with the Cardinals Tuesday, celebrates an interception while playing for Tampa Bay in 2012.
Now, the Cardinals are collecting cornerbacks.
On the heels of the recent signing of Antonio Cromartie, the Cards added two more corners Tuesday by signing veterans LeQuan Lewis and Eddie Whitley to two-year contracts. The moves figure to be for offseason depth more than anything, as the Cards continue to make additional hedges with the ongoing rehab of safety/nickel corner Tyrann Mathieu.
Besides, with 90-man rosters in the offseason, defensive backs are needed. The Cardinals had 16 total on the roster last preseason; now, the total is 12 with the rookies still to come. The Cards kept nine on the roster the majority of the 2013 season, and seven of those spots are already all but accounted for: Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers, Cromartie and Justin Bethel at cornerback, and Mathieu, Rashad Johnson and Tony Jefferson at safety.
Lewis, a one-time undrafted rookie out of Arizona State, has spent time with the Titans, Jets, Raiders, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Patriots and Bears. His career totals include eight games played – all in 2012 – with one interception. Whitley has been with the Eagles, Cowboys, 49ers and Saints although he has never appeared in a regular season game.
The Cardinals have 71 players on the roster, although the churn of the offseason could see current players getting released before training camp. They have six picks in the upcoming draft, which begins May 8.