MORE protection! In the third round of the NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected another defender, this time Oregon edge rusher Jordan Burch.

The Arizona Cardinals continued their defense-heavy strategy in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Oregon edge rusher Jordan Burch with the No. 71 overall pick. After using earlier selections to reinforce their defensive ranks, Arizona doubled down in the third round, targeting a player whose potential could reshape the team’s pass rush for years to come.

This decision marks another firm statement by head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort: the Cardinals intend to build a fearsome, physical identity on the defensive side of the ball.

Jordan Burch’s path to this moment wasn’t typical. Once one of the most sought-after high school recruits in the nation, Burch began his college career at South Carolina with immense hype. Despite flashing his elite athletic traits early, consistency eluded him during his first two seasons in the SEC. However, Burch showed enough glimpses of brilliance to become a major transfer portal target, ultimately choosing Oregon for the 2023 season.

In Eugene, Burch finally unlocked his potential. Under head coach Dan Lanning’s system, Burch evolved into a disruptive force on the edge, compiling 7.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles during his lone season with the Ducks. More importantly, he consistently displayed the traits NFL scouts covet: explosive first-step quickness, stoutness against the run, and a relentless motor.

Burch’s draft stock steadily rose throughout the 2024 college football season. He impressed at the Senior Bowl and delivered a strong showing at the NFL Combine, where he posted a 4.68-second 40-yard dash at 272 pounds — an eye-popping number for a man his size.

Still, some teams had questions about his consistency and technique. That allowed a talent with first-round physical tools to slip into the third round, where the Cardinals pounced.

For the Cardinals, the selection of Jordan Burch wasn’t just about adding another body to the defensive line — it was about addressing a glaring need.

In 2024, Arizona’s defense finished near the bottom of the NFL in most major categories:

• 28th in sacks (31 total)
• 30th in QB pressures
• 26th in rush defense

While budding star BJ Ojulari showed promise as a pass rusher, Arizona lacked a true complement on the opposite edge. Veteran Dennis Gardeck provided high effort but was more of a rotational player than a foundational piece. Simply put, the Cardinals needed a long-term answer who could set the edge and collapse the pocket.

Jordan Burch provides exactly that. His powerful lower half allows him to anchor against the run, while his rare athleticism lets him bend and chase quarterbacks. Pairing Burch with Ojulari gives Arizona a young, high-upside pass-rushing duo to build around.

More importantly, Burch fits the identity Gannon wants: versatile, relentless defenders who can win in multiple ways. At Oregon, Burch was asked to play traditional defensive end, stand-up outside linebacker, and even occasionally reduce inside to defensive tackle on passing downs. His experience in multiple alignments will allow Arizona to move him around and exploit mismatches.

“Jordan’s motor, size, and versatility jumped off the tape for us,” Ossenfort said after the pick. “He’s the kind of guy who fits what we’re building — physical, fast, and smart.”

With Burch joining the fold, it’s becoming increasingly clear how Arizona envisions its defense:

• Ojulari and Burch on the edges to provide pass-rush pressure.
• Zaven Collins and Jesse Luketa rotating at linebacker.
• Renovated secondary featuring Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, and emerging young corners like Garrett Williams.

And critically, Arizona added another big body earlier in the draft by selecting a defensive tackle, further solidifying the trenches. This dual-pronged approach — strengthening both the interior and edge — should make it far more difficult for opposing offenses to dictate terms.

In a division that features offensive masterminds like Kyle Shanahan (49ers) and Sean McVay (Rams), the Cardinals simply couldn’t afford to trot out a passive defense anymore. Building a physically imposing, disruptive front was mandatory.

Gannon, a former defensive coordinator himself, seems to have taken the 2024 struggles personally. His fingerprints are all over this defensive rebuild.

“Defense wins championships,” Gannon said on Friday. “And to win, you have to affect the quarterback. You have to dominate the line of scrimmage. Jordan Burch helps us do both.”

Here’s a breakdown of Jordan Burch’s skill set:

Strengths

• Explosive athleticism for his size
• Strong hands and initial punch
• Flexible enough to dip and bend around the edge
• Good awareness against screen passes and option plays
• High motor; rarely takes plays off
• Versatility to line up across multiple positions

Weaknesses

• Still developing counter moves beyond speed-to-power
• Occasional pad level issues; can play too high
• Only one year of elite production at the college level

In the NFL, Burch projects as a player who could start rotationally while developing into a full-time starter. His athletic traits give him a high ceiling, but technique refinement will be key to maximizing his potential.

Fortunately, Arizona is not in a rush. With Gardeck, Ojulari, and others already on the roster, Burch can be eased into the rotation, allowing him to learn and adjust without being immediately overwhelmed.

The selection of Jordan Burch drew widespread praise from NFL draft analysts:

“This is a steal in the third round. Burch has all the traits to become a starting-caliber edge rusher and fits exactly what the Cardinals need. He just needs some polish.” – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network

“Arizona crushed this pick. In a class thin on edge depth after the first round, finding a player like Burch this late is impressive.” – Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

Fans on social media seemed equally enthused:

• “Burch and Ojulari = QB nightmares for years to come!”
• “Finally, a defense we can believe in again.”
• “Cards quietly putting together one of the best young defensive cores in the NFC.”

There was some caution expressed too, mainly centered around Burch’s need for development. But overall, optimism outweighed skepticism.

Short-Term:
Expect Burch to rotate early, particularly on passing downs. His role will likely mirror what Ojulari did as a rookie: limited snaps focused on attacking the quarterback and setting the edge against the run. His athleticism alone should flash enough to make an impact.

Long-Term:
By 2026, the hope is that Burch becomes a starting defensive end or outside linebacker in Gannon’s multiple-front scheme. If he reaches his ceiling, he could form a devastating 1-2 punch with Ojulari, giving Arizona the kind of homegrown pass-rushing tandem that successful teams covet.

If Burch develops into a consistent 8–10 sacks per year player, this third-round pick could go down as one of the steals of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Arizona’s commitment to revamping its defense is undeniable — and welcome. For too long, the Cardinals have relied on aging veterans and patchwork fixes on that side of the ball. Now, with players like Jordan Burch added to a growing core of young talent, Arizona finally has a foundation that can be built upon.

The phrase “More protection!” doesn’t just refer to shielding quarterback Kyler Murray anymore — it now also means protecting leads, dictating games with defensive pressure, and punching opponents in the mouth.

Jordan Burch isn’t a finished product. But he’s a weapon. A weapon Arizona desperately needed.

In a division loaded with offensive firepower, the Cardinals just sent a clear message: We’re coming for your quarterbacks. And we’re coming fast.