TEMPE, Ariz. -- One of Rudy Ford's traits that the Arizona Cardinals coveted among all others was his versatility.

The sixth-rounder played cornerback, safety and nickel at Auburn -- after starting his collegiate career as a running back -- giving the positional flexibility the Cardinals are looking for in a defensive back after losing safeties Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger, and cornerback Marcus Cooper. Ford played cornerback his senior season, defending seven passes.

While fifth-rounder T.J. Logan will find himself in a prime position to climb the running back depth chart, Ford is in a similar position at corner.

Where he fits: With no clear-cut starter at cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson, Ford will enter a situation during OTAs, minicamp and training camp where he can win a starting job because of the open competition at cornerback against Justin Bethel and Brandon Williams. One of the advantages Ford will have over Bethel and Williams is his experience at cornerback. Neither Bethel nor Williams played cornerback (or any defensive back, for that matter) on a full-time basis in college, which gives Ford the initial upper hand because he doesn’t have to spend time transitioning to a new position. He just has to learn a new system.

What he said: "They're going to leave me as a corner," Ford said. "I've been familiar and I've been playing three different positions since I've been at Auburn, really four including the running back spot. But the Cardinals want me to come in and play cornerback. That's what I've been training as."

What they said: "We know he can run and we know he can cover," general manager Steve Keim said. "We think he can play corner at this level with as much zero and press as we play, we can put him in a situation where he is playing press and using his size, physicality and speed. We know he will be good on special teams, as well."