Arizona Cardinals 2025 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the Top 100 Prospects

The Arizona Cardinals enter the 2025 NFL Draft with an opportunity to reshape the franchise. With a roster in flux and several key holes to fill, general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon must find a way to maximize their draft capital. Armed with multiple picks in the first three rounds and a chance to add cornerstone talent, the Cardinals’ war room has been hard at work narrowing down a comprehensive list of prospects who can make an immediate and long-term impact.

This year’s draft class is loaded with talent at premium positions — quarterback, edge rusher, offensive tackle and wide receiver all feature high-end options, but it’s the depth throughout the top 100 that stands out. From versatile defenders to plug-and-play offensive linemen, the Cardinals have the flexibility to trade up, trade down or stay put and still walk away with top-tier talent. Arizona is expected to prioritize versatility, toughness, and leadership — traits that align with Gannon’s defensive mindset and Ossenfort’s disciplined approach to team-building.

At the top of the Cardinals’ board are players who not only meet physical thresholds but also bring high football IQ and intangibles. While the Cardinals have Kyler Murray under contract, the team has quietly been doing its due diligence on several top quarterbacks. This doesn’t necessarily signal an imminent change under center, but it does reflect the front office’s commitment to exploring every avenue to improve the roster — especially after a 2024 campaign marked by inconsistency on both sides of the ball.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the top 100 prospects on the Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 NFL Draft big board, compiled from team needs, scheme fits, scouting intel, and on-field production. These rankings reflect how the Cardinals may prioritize players, not just a general consensus ranking.

1. Caleb Downs, S, Alabama – The premier safety in this draft, Downs combines elite instincts with outstanding range and tackling ability. A perfect leader for the back end of a young defense.

2. Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State – Powerful and relentless, Verse brings a pro-ready skill set and would give the Cardinals a foundational piece off the edge.

3. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame – Alt’s athleticism, size, and technical polish make him a high-end left tackle prospect who could solidify the line for a decade.

4. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU – A dynamic playmaker with game-breaking speed and elite separation ability, Nabers would instantly elevate Arizona’s receiving corps.

5. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama – Turner brings twitch, bend, and power. A potential double-digit sack artist, he fits the mold of Gannon’s edge defenders.

6. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia – An offensive weapon at tight end, Bowers adds versatility, toughness, and route-running prowess unmatched in this class.

7. Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State – One of the most technically sound tackles in the draft, Fashanu brings immediate plug-and-play potential.

8. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State – While likely off the board before Arizona picks, Harrison is a generational WR talent with elite body control, route precision, and hands.

9. Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State – A high-upside edge rusher with explosive get-off and athletic traits that mirror top-tier pass rushers.

10. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama – One of the most physical and instinctive corners in this class, Arnold could give the Cardinals a true No. 1 corner.

11. JC Latham, OT, Alabama – A mountain of a man with surprising foot quickness, Latham could solidify the right side of Arizona’s line.

12. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State – Smooth route runner with reliable hands and polished technique. He’s an ideal No. 2 in a pass-heavy offense.

13. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama – Though not as flashy, McKinstry is consistent, reliable, and excels in zone and man coverage alike.

14. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington – A big-bodied receiver with vertical ability and strong hands, Odunze plays with an edge that the Cardinals covet.

15. Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami – A disruptive interior presence with elite pass-rushing upside. Taylor would upgrade the Cardinals’ front immediately.

16. Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State – Athletic and explosive, Hall brings interior quickness and could complement Arizona’s edge threats.

17. Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa – Versatile enough to play corner or safety, DeJean is a ballhawk with elite instincts and special teams ability.

18. J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State – Big, physical, and powerful, Tuimoloau is a run defender first with pass-rush upside.

19. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA – Health concerns linger, but Latu’s production, hands, and awareness scream NFL-ready.

20. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia – Steady and reliable, Lassiter is a plug-and-play corner with excellent short-area quickness.

21. Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma – With rare movement skills for his size, Guyton is a developmental tackle with a massive ceiling.

22. Kalen King, CB, Penn State – Quick-twitch and physical, King would fit Arizona’s aggressive style of man coverage.

23. Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois – A relentless motor and interior quickness make Newton one of the most disruptive 3-techs available.

24. Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson – A hybrid safety who can play nickel or deep, Mukuba offers flexibility Arizona would value.

25. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson – Athletic, fast, and rangy, Carter could bring juice to the second level of the defense.

26–100: As Arizona builds out its board beyond the top 25, they’ll be looking at prospects who can compete for starting jobs early, provide rotational depth, and grow into key contributors. This part of the board includes mid-round gems, position-flex players, and potential special teams aces.

Players like Kingsley Suamataia (OT, BYU), Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas), and Jordan Burch (EDGE, Oregon) will be attractive Day 2 prospects with upside. Linebackers such as Junior Colson (Michigan) and Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M) offer sideline-to-sideline range and playmaking ability. At corner, Denzel Burke (Ohio State) and Tony Grimes (Texas A&M) provide value with starting-caliber traits.

Running backs may not be a priority early, but prospects like TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), Braelon Allen (Wisconsin), and Will Shipley (Clemson) sit in that mid-range where value meets production. With James Conner aging and injuries mounting, a Day 3 back with burst and receiving ability could be added to the mix.

Interior offensive linemen are a sneaky need, and the Cardinals will be evaluating prospects like Zach Frazier (C, West Virginia), Christian Mahogany (G, Boston College), and Cooper Beebe (G, Kansas State) closely. Any one of those players could start by year two and offer long-term stability up front.

Quarterback depth remains a question. If Arizona chooses to explore life beyond Kyler Murray, they could look at Day 2 or Day 3 quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Riley Leonard (Notre Dame), or Michael Pratt (Tulane). While none of them are blue-chip prospects, each has traits that could intrigue in a developmental role.

Tight end depth behind Trey McBride is another area to watch. Cade Stover (Ohio State), Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas), and Theo Johnson (Penn State) bring varying skill sets that could offer red-zone impact or blocking support in heavier personnel packages.

On defense, safety depth and rotational pass rushers will be a priority on Day 3. Prospects like Javon Bullard (Georgia), Calen Bullock (USC), and Bralen Trice (Washington) could bring situational value in sub-packages. Trice in particular is a high-motor end who fits well in Gannon’s pressure schemes.

In total, the Cardinals are in an enviable position heading into the 2025 draft. With multiple high picks and a deep prospect pool, they don’t have to reach — they just have to execute. If Arizona stays patient, trusts its board, and walks away with two or three immediate starters and four to five long-term contributors, this class could mark the beginning of a new era in the desert.

While the top of the board features the elite talent that will shape the first round, the depth in this year’s class means Arizona’s decisions on Days 2 and 3 will be just as important. The best franchises consistently find value outside of Round 1. For a team still rebuilding its identity and culture, every pick matters. The 2025 NFL Draft offers the Cardinals a chance not just to add talent — but to redefine who they are.