The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2025 NFL draft with several key needs that needed to be addressed in order to become a more competitive team in the NFC West. While the draft offered an opportunity to fill many of those gaps, there remain areas on the roster that still require attention as the team looks toward the upcoming season. In this breakdown, we’ll review the top remaining needs for the Arizona Cardinals post-draft and discuss how the front office might continue to address these issues in the coming months.
1. Offensive Line
The offensive line is arguably the biggest remaining need for the Arizona Cardinals after the draft. The unit has been a problem area for the team in recent seasons, and although the Cardinals did make some moves to improve the line in the past few offseasons, they are still far from a finished product.
The team took a step forward by selecting offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft. Johnson, a versatile player who can line up at both tackle spots, will be a cornerstone for the future of the Cardinals’ offensive line. His size, strength, and athleticism should help stabilize the group, but he alone won’t be enough to fix the line.
The rest of the offensive line remains a bit shaky. While there are some pieces in place, including veteran tackles DJ Humphries and Kelvin Beachum, neither player has been consistently dominant in recent seasons. Additionally, the interior offensive line has seen frequent turnover. Will Hernandez is a solid option at guard, but the center position remains a question mark. Jonah Williams, the team’s current center, has been inconsistent, and it’s unclear whether he’s the long-term solution at the position.
Improving the offensive line is essential for two primary reasons: the health and development of Kyler Murray, and the overall effectiveness of the running game. With Murray recovering from a serious knee injury, keeping him upright and giving him clean pockets to throw from will be paramount. Additionally, the running back corps, led by James Conner, needs more consistent blocking to thrive. The team could look to sign free-agent veterans to bolster the depth on the offensive line or explore trades in the coming months.
2. Pass Rush
The Arizona Cardinals’ pass rush has been inconsistent in recent years, and despite some progress, the team still lacks a truly dominant edge rusher. While the draft provided some help in the form of BJ Ojulari, a dynamic edge rusher from LSU, there are still concerns about the overall depth and talent on the defensive line.
Ojulari will be a key piece of the pass rush moving forward, but expecting him to be an instant difference-maker might be a stretch. The Cardinals need more from their defensive line, especially with the growing prominence of quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford in the NFC West. Even with the addition of Ojulari, the Cardinals will need to see more from Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons on the inside. Collins, in particular, has shown flashes of playmaking ability, but he hasn’t yet developed into a consistent sack artist.
Veteran players like J.J. Watt, who had been a staple of the pass rush for several seasons, have either been inconsistent or gone entirely. With Watt’s retirement, the team is left with holes that need to be filled in order to keep the pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In addition to Ojulari, the team could target additional pass-rushing help through trades or signings later in the offseason.
3. Cornerback Depth
The cornerback position is another area where the Arizona Cardinals are relatively thin. The team has a few solid players at cornerback, including Marco Wilson and Antonio Hamilton, but there is a noticeable lack of depth behind them. If either of these players were to go down with an injury, the Cardinals would struggle to maintain a consistent secondary.
The addition of Byron Murphy Jr. in the draft could provide an upgrade to the position, but the team is still lacking a true shutdown corner who can consistently handle the opposing team’s top wideouts. The NFC West features some of the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the league, including Deebo Samuel (49ers) and Cooper Kupp (Rams), meaning the Cardinals need to have more reliable cornerbacks to stay competitive.
With the lack of depth behind their starters, the Cardinals will likely continue to monitor the cornerback market and could make moves to bring in additional players to fill the depth chart. There is always the possibility of a trade during the season, as cornerbacks can become available for the right price.
4. Wide Receiver Depth
The Arizona Cardinals have a solid starting group of wide receivers, including Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore, but the team still lacks significant depth behind them. The wide receiver position is essential for Kyler Murray’s development, and although the starting group can be effective, the team needs to add more options to provide Murray with a well-rounded set of targets.
DeAndre Hopkins, the team’s top wide receiver, has been inconsistent in recent seasons due to injuries, and there have been rumors of his departure. If the Cardinals were to move on from Hopkins, the team would be left with significant holes at the position. Brown and Moore are both good players, but they’re not true No. 1 receivers.
The addition of a rookie or veteran wide receiver to complement their current roster would help solidify the receiving corps. The team may look to bring in a veteran presence or explore potential trade opportunities to bolster the position. With Murray’s recovery in mind, ensuring he has a variety of weapons at his disposal will be critical for the team’s offensive success.
5. Linebacker Depth
While the Arizona Cardinals have a solid group of linebackers, including Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons, the team still needs depth at the position. Collins and Simmons have shown the potential to be excellent playmakers, but both have been inconsistent at times. Having additional options in case of injury or for situational packages would improve the overall stability of the defense.
The Cardinals could look to bring in a veteran linebacker, especially one who can provide leadership and experience in the locker room. Adding a versatile player who can play both inside and outside linebacker would provide more flexibility for defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. Additionally, if Simmons continues to struggle with consistency, the team might need a more reliable option at the position.
6. Kicker and Special Teams
Special teams play is often overlooked, but it’s an area where the Arizona Cardinals could use some improvement. Kicker Matt Prater is nearing the end of his career, and there could be a need to find a long-term solution at the position. While Prater is still capable of hitting long-range field goals, his age means the team needs to start looking toward the future at kicker.
Additionally, the Cardinals could benefit from improvement in their return game. While players like Rondale Moore can provide a spark, the team has lacked consistency in special teams coverage and returns in recent seasons. Ensuring that special teams are a strong part of the team’s overall performance will be important for the Cardinals’ success, especially in close games.
7. Quarterback Depth
While the Arizona Cardinals have their franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, they are still in need of solid backup depth. Murray’s recovery from a major knee injury means that the team needs to be cautious about his workload, and having a reliable backup quarterback will be important. Clayton Tune, a 2025 draft pick, could eventually serve as a backup, but bringing in a more experienced veteran might provide a safety net for the team should Murray miss any games.
The Arizona Cardinals made a strong push in the 2025 NFL Draft, addressing several key needs, including the addition of Paris Johnson Jr. to bolster the offensive line and BJ Ojulari to improve the pass rush. However, the team still has significant areas that require attention, including the cornerback and linebacker positions, as well as depth at wide receiver and special teams. The front office will need to continue to monitor the player market for potential upgrades and should be prepared to make moves to ensure the team is competitive in the NFC West.
In a division that includes teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks, the Cardinals must continue to build a well-rounded roster. With the right moves and a continued focus on developing their young talent, the Cardinals can look forward to making strides toward becoming a legitimate contender in the NFC.
