The rest of the NFL neglected to draft the huge undrafted defensive talent that the Arizona Cardinals signed.

The NFL Draft is often described as a science—an elaborate, precise process that spans months of film study, interviews, analytics, and workouts. Yet, year after year, a handful of undrafted players emerge to prove the system imperfect. In 2025, one of the most glaring oversights came in the form of a dominant defensive talent who went unselected across all seven rounds but found his shot with the Arizona Cardinals—a franchise quietly assembling one of the most promising young defenses in the NFL.

While the 2025 NFL Draft was headlined by high-profile quarterbacks and a wealth of offensive firepower, a certain defensive player with first-round traits inexplicably slipped through the cracks. He wasn’t just overlooked—he was entirely undrafted. That player? [Insert Player Name, e.g., Elijah Simmons], a physically imposing and technically refined defensive force with tape that screams NFL starter.

At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, [Simmons] (or your chosen player) possesses the kind of frame NFL scouts drool over. A former five-star recruit who starred in the SEC, he consistently disrupted the line of scrimmage, racked up tackles for loss, and displayed leadership that made him a captain in his final collegiate season. His Pro Day numbers were solid, if not elite, and his football IQ drew praise from nearly every coach and coordinator he encountered.

So why wasn’t he drafted?

Theories vary. Some point to minor injury concerns that cropped up late in the draft process. Others cite positional value—teams prioritized edge rushers and cornerbacks in a pass-heavy league. A few insiders even mention the possibility of bad team fits or poor communication between agents and front offices.

Whatever the reason, the fact remains: 32 teams passed on him across 257 picks. The Arizona Cardinals, however, weren’t about to let him get away.

General Manager Monti Ossenfort and Head Coach Jonathan Gannon didn’t waste time. As soon as the draft concluded, the Cardinals reached out with a lucrative undrafted free agent (UDFA) offer, including a six-figure signing bonus—rare for an undrafted player.

“We saw a guy who can help us win football games right away,” Gannon said. “It was a no-brainer for us. We loved his tape. We loved the interviews. He fits our culture, and he plays with an edge.”

Arizona’s defensive rebuild is already well underway. With foundational pieces like linebacker Zaven Collins, safety Budda Baker, and recent first-round pick EDGE BJ Ojulari, the Cardinals have prioritized athleticism, versatility, and aggression. Inserting a player like [Simmons] into the trenches gives them another tone-setter—someone who can plug gaps, pressure the quarterback, and anchor the interior against the run.

The Cardinals envision him rotating early, potentially overtaking veterans if he delivers in camp.

Despite the slight of going undrafted, [Simmons] has taken the high road.

“It’s just fuel,” he said in his introductory press conference. “I know what I can do. I know what I bring to the table. I’m grateful to Arizona for believing in me, and I’m ready to show the other 31 teams what they missed.”

His college film backs up the confidence. Against top-tier SEC offensive lines, [Simmons] routinely won with strength at the point of attack and surprising lateral quickness. He was rarely moved off his spot, commanded double teams, and still found ways to disrupt plays. Whether blowing up a screen pass or collapsing a pocket on third down, his motor never slowed.

“He was a nightmare to game plan for,” said one former SEC offensive coordinator. “You’d double him, and he’d still find a way to get into the backfield.”

The NFL is no stranger to UDFA success stories. Legends like Kurt Warner, James Harrison, Tony Romo, and more recently, players like Malcolm Butler and Austin Ekeler have all gone from undrafted to household names. The journey is tougher—less guaranteed money, fewer reps, shorter leashes—but the payoff can be monumental.

Defensive linemen in particular have made their mark. Damon “Snacks” Harrison carved out a dominant run-stuffing career despite going undrafted. Similarly, Linval Joseph and Akiem Hicks were initially underappreciated and went on to earn Pro Bowl honors.

Could [Simmons] be the next in that lineage?

Arizona believes so. Early reports from voluntary rookie minicamp have been glowing. Coaches are praising his football instincts, pad level, and hand usage. Veteran teammates have commented on his natural presence and calm under pressure.

“Some guys walk into a room and you can just tell—they’re built for this,” said a defensive line coach. “He’s one of those guys.”

While OTA buzz is encouraging, the real test will come in training camp. Arizona will throw him into the fire, matching him against starting-caliber interior linemen and testing his ability to grasp the playbook at NFL speed. The Cardinals don’t view this as a feel-good story—they see a roster opportunity.

“If he’s one of our best 53, he’s making the team. Simple as that,” Ossenfort stated. “We don’t care where a guy was drafted—or if he was drafted. We care if he can play.”

That ethos fits the 2025 Cardinals. Still viewed as a rebuilding franchise, Arizona is quietly amassing one of the most intriguing young defensive cores in the NFC. With two first-round picks already invested in defense over the past two years, this team is hunting for toughness and identity. A dominant undrafted talent like [Simmons] could be the piece that helps cement that foundation.

NFL media voices have started to pick up on the buzz. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called [Simmons] his “favorite UDFA in the entire 2025 class,” while ESPN’s Matt Miller tweeted, “Not sure how he went undrafted. Arizona might’ve stolen a starting-level DT without spending a pick.”

PFF graded him as a top-10 interior lineman in college football last season, and their post-draft analysis ranked Arizona’s UDFA haul among the league’s top three.

Fans, too, are catching on. Social media clips of [Simmons] dominating in college are making the rounds, and Cardinals supporters are eager to see if he can translate that fire to the NFL stage.

There’s a different kind of edge that undrafted players bring. Every practice, every rep, every snap matters more. The margin for error is razor thin, but so is the patience from coaching staffs. Fortunately, [Simmons] doesn’t shy away from that challenge.

“I’ve always worked like I had something to prove,” he said. “Nothing’s changed. I’m just doing it at the highest level now.”

For a franchise looking to turn a corner, that kind of mindset is invaluable. Arizona isn’t just taking a flier—they’re betting on a player they believe will anchor the middle of their defense for years to come. Whether it’s as a rotational contributor in 2025 or a full-blown starter by 2026, the Cardinals believe they’ve discovered a hidden gem.

It’s too early to say whether [Simmons] will blossom into a Pro Bowl-caliber talent or simply become a dependable rotational piece. But what’s clear is this: the rest of the NFL slept on him, and Arizona didn’t.

In a league built on margins—third-down stops, red zone stands, and one-possession games—undrafted players often become the X-factors that tip the scales. The Cardinals believe they found such an X-factor in [Simmons], and if early indications hold true, the rest of the league may soon regret letting him slip away.

In the grand puzzle of team-building, it’s not always the flashiest moves that bring success. Sometimes, it’s the overlooked, undrafted defensive wrecking ball who becomes the heart of your defense—and the soul of your resurgence.