The Arizona Cardinals made several bold moves in the 2025 NFL Draft, including targeting their defensive future with key picks in the early rounds. General Manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon focused on acquiring high-ceiling defenders to address glaring weaknesses, especially in pass rushing and secondary depth. While expectations are high, the path to individual accolades like Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) is steep—particularly for rookies in Arizona.
Despite the promise of these additions, the franchise’s history, scheme complexities, surrounding talent, and national visibility pose unique challenges. The Cardinals’ top defensive picks may be primed for productive seasons, but winning the DROY award may ultimately prove elusive.
A Closer Look at the Top Picks
Arizona’s defensive draft class was headlined by:
- EDGE Darius Robinson (Round 1, Pick 27) — Missouri
- CB Max Melton (Round 2, Pick 43) — Rutgers
These two selections reflect Arizona’s intent to get younger and faster on defense. Robinson is a powerful, versatile pass rusher with the ability to line up both outside and inside. Melton, meanwhile, is a fluid athlete known for his man-coverage skills and competitiveness.
Both have the pedigree and opportunity to play early. But being a starter or impact contributor doesn’t automatically translate to DROY contention, especially in a league filled with high-profile rookies on better teams and in more favorable schemes.
Before diving into specific obstacles, it’s worth noting that Arizona has rarely produced Defensive Rookie of the Year winners. The last (and only) Cardinal to win the award was Simeon Rice in 1996, following a 12.5-sack campaign. Since then, plenty of high draft picks have underwhelmed statistically or played in relative obscurity compared to counterparts in major markets.
Unlike franchises such as the Dallas Cowboys or Pittsburgh Steelers—whose players often benefit from national exposure—Arizona has long struggled with visibility and primetime relevance. That lack of spotlight directly affects a rookie’s DROY candidacy in the eyes of voters.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon, a former defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, employs a hybrid, matchup-based scheme that prioritizes disguise, versatility, and disciplined execution. While this is strategically sound, it can delay rookie development.
Darius Robinson, for instance, played with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end at Missouri. The Cardinals are likely to shift him to a more fluid edge role in a 3-4 base, demanding he learn coverage responsibilities, adjust his hand usage, and master more nuanced gap discipline.
Similarly, Max Melton will be thrust into a zone-heavy system that frequently shifts coverages mid-play. His aggressive, press-man style must be refined to avoid penalties and maintain leverage in more complex reads. Rookie corners often struggle in year one—even in simpler schemes.
These adaptations take time, which limits the kind of instant production voters look for in DROY races.
The 2025 rookie class is loaded with defensive talent. In particular:
- Dallas Turner (Minnesota Vikings) is a pass rusher with elite traits and a wide-open opportunity to rack up double-digit sacks.
- Kool-Aid McKinstry (Philadelphia Eagles) will be playing on national TV for a playoff team and has a shot at multiple interceptions.
- Jer’Zhan Newton (Seattle Seahawks) is a disruptive force on a team with growing expectations.
All three will likely outperform Arizona’s rookies in key stat categories—sacks and turnovers—that traditionally define DROY winners. With the Cardinals in a rebuild, it’s unlikely their defensive metrics will hold up against contenders.
For example, if Turner finishes with 11 sacks and Arizona’s Robinson finishes with six, the award will heavily lean Turner’s way, especially with playoff contention and media exposure factored in.
DROY recipients often come from teams that at least flirt with playoff contention. The logic is clear: voters prefer players who make a measurable impact on winning. Arizona, however, is projected to finish near the bottom of the NFC West.
Even if Robinson or Melton post solid numbers, those stats may be written off as “empty calories” on a 5-12 or 6-11 team. It’s the same reason why Houston Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. needed a historic second half in 2023 to edge past other rookies—his production helped fuel a playoff push.
Without wins, individual recognition becomes harder, even for deserving candidates.
While Robinson and Melton are among Arizona’s top defensive additions, they still face competition within their own team. The defensive line rotation includes BJ Ojulari, Zaven Collins, and Cam Thomas—all hungry for snaps and production. Arizona may not be in a rush to overwork Robinson early.
Similarly, Melton must battle for reps with Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V, and possibly Isaiah Simmons if used in the slot. That could limit interception chances and reduce total snap count, key metrics for voters evaluating corners.
If Melton only plays 60% of the team’s defensive snaps, for example, he may not have the raw volume to post elite stats, even if he plays efficiently.
Perhaps the most underrated factor in DROY races is narrative. Players drafted to glamorous markets or from powerhouse colleges often benefit from existing media familiarity. Voters already know their backstories, watched their college games, and associate them with winning cultures.
Robinson and Melton, though productive, don’t have the “brand power” of, say, Dallas Turner (Alabama) or Kool-Aid McKinstry (also Alabama). While Missouri and Rutgers are respectable programs, they don’t carry the same spotlight.
Additionally, playing for the Cardinals—one of the least nationally televised teams—means highlight plays may be missed or downplayed in comparison to peers from Dallas, Philadelphia, or New York.
While the road is undeniably tough, it’s not impossible.
For Darius Robinson, the key would be hitting double-digit sacks while also producing a few forced fumbles. A splashy three-sack game on national television—or against a high-profile quarterback—could launch him into the DROY conversation. He would need to seize every prime-time or highlight opportunity to “announce himself” to voters.
For Max Melton, a rookie campaign featuring four or more interceptions, a few pass breakups, and perhaps a pick-six or two would put him in the spotlight. Playing as a slot or outside corner could give him versatility points—if he handles the role well.
But even then, both players need Arizona to win at least 7-8 games to draw serious award consideration.
Whether or not Arizona’s rookies take home hardware in Year 1, the larger goal remains development and team-building. The Cardinals are focused on 2026 and beyond, with Robinson and Melton positioned to be foundational players.
Both possess high football IQ, athletic traits, and the kind of “chip-on-the-shoulder” mentality that suits the gritty identity Gannon is trying to instill. While DROY may be out of reach due to systemic and contextual hurdles, Pro Bowl potential in Year 2 or 3 is not.
Winning Defensive Rookie of the Year is a combination of production, visibility, narrative, and team success. For Arizona’s top picks in 2025, those elements are stacked against them. Despite strong talent and opportunity, Darius Robinson and Max Melton must overcome not only fellow rookies but also their own team’s rebuilding phase and media anonymity.
Still, even without the trophy, Arizona fans should be excited. The foundation is being laid—and even if Year 1 doesn’t result in individual awards, it could be the beginning of a new defensive era in the desert.
