Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has heaped praise on cornerback Patrick Peterson as potentially the best athlete in the NFL.

Keim said that Peterson's athleticism is on the same level as Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders and that he is an irreplaceable member of the team.

"From an ability standpoint, I've never seen anything like him," TheMMQB.com quotes Keim as saying.

"He's the closest thing in the league to a Bo Jackson, a Deion Sanders. I've seen him stand on the field flatfooted and throw the ball 65-70 yards.

"He goes out to practice as a wideout, and runs a 10- and 15-yard out as well as anyone on our team. His value to our team is really unparalleled."

Peterson managed 52 tackles in 16 games last season.