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After all the news of free agents getting crazy contracts, the Arizona Cardinals made their first move at a lower rate. They have added veteran safety Tyvon Branch to a two-year contract. According to Kent Somers, the deal is worth a maximum of $7 million and has $5 million guaranteed.
His role in Arizona is still unknown. The team has two safeties currently with restricted free agent tenders (Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger) and Rashad Johnson as an unrestricted free agent. His future on the team is unknown.
At minimum, he provides some versatility and some veteran presence. He can play deep, he can play in the slot and he can cover tight ends. He is a nine-year veteran. However, he only started one game last season in KC and only appeared in five games between 2013 and 2014 because of injuries.
He is a little taller than Johnson and was much faster coming out of college. That probably is still the case.
Starter? Backup? A little of both while Tyrann Mathieu returns to form? At the price the Cardinals get him, if he stays healthy, it is a good move.