Free agent cornerback Robert McClain will meet with the Cardinals on Thursday, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle first reported Arizona’s interest in McClain.
McClain would be a natural fit with the Cardinals for several reasons, with coaching familiarity being a primary factor. McClain played for the Panthers in 2015-16 when now-Arizona head coach Steve Wilks served as Carolina’s defensive backs coach. Additionally, the Cardinals are in need of defensive back depth after releasing Tyrann Mathieu and losing Tramon Williams to the Packers. Tyvon Branch, Justin Bethel, and C.J. Goodwin, meanwhile, are still on the open market.
Typically a slot corner, McClain saw the most playing time of his career in 2017, as he was on the field for 75% of the Buccaneers’ defensive snaps. In 14 games (nine starts), the 29-year-old McClain posted a career-high three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against now-Cardinals quarterback Mike Glennon.