After a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, the Arizona Cardinals selected CB Denzel Burke in the fifth round, continuing their trend of selecting Ohio State defenders.

In a move that both surprised and excited fans in the desert, the Arizona Cardinals made a calculated trade with the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft to secure Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke. With this acquisition, the Cardinals continued a noticeable pattern under general manager Monti Ossenfort: selecting defensive talent from the Buckeyes program. The selection of Burke adds yet another elite product of Ryan Day’s defense to an NFL franchise desperate to solidify its secondary and re-establish a competitive identity on defense.

While Burke’s slide to the fifth round raised eyebrows among draft analysts, the Cardinals had no hesitation in seizing the opportunity. His selection is more than just a mid-round flier—it’s a statement about Arizona’s evolving draft strategy and its long-term belief in Ohio State defenders to form the backbone of a franchise turnaround.

The Cardinals originally held pick No. 147 in the fifth round, but seeing Burke still available on the board, Ossenfort pulled the trigger on a deal with Dallas. Arizona sent its fifth-round pick (No. 147) and a seventh-rounder in exchange for the Cowboys’ pick at No. 139, jumping ahead of several defensive back-needy teams to secure Burke.

“We had our eye on Denzel all along,” Ossenfort told reporters. “Once the fourth round ended and he was still there, we knew we had to make a move. He’s a competitor, comes from a program that knows how to prepare guys for Sundays, and he’s just scratching the surface of what he can be.”

The move echoed Arizona’s recent draft behavior—an affinity for Buckeyes, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. It’s not a coincidence. The Cardinals have drafted three Ohio State defenders in the last four years, each time noting the players’ NFL-readiness, football IQ, and championship-caliber discipline.

Denzel Burke joins a growing list of Buckeyes in the Cardinals’ locker room. Most notably, linebacker Pete Werner was acquired via trade in 2024, and former Buckeye defensive end Zach Harrison was signed off waivers late last season. But the connection goes deeper than roster additions—it’s about a culture fit.

Ohio State defenders have long been regarded as some of the most technically sound and well-coached players in the country. The Buckeyes’ defensive coordinators emphasize man-to-man coverage, advanced zone concepts, and physical, NFL-style tackling from day one. For Arizona, whose defense ranked in the bottom third in pass defense efficiency last season, adding a cornerback from such a system makes perfect sense.

In head coach Jonathan Gannon’s press conference following the draft, he addressed the Ohio State trend directly.

“Yeah, we know what we’re getting from that program,” Gannon said. “Smart players, hard-nosed, not afraid to take on responsibility. Denzel fits that mold perfectly. He’s battle-tested. He’s gone up against first-round receivers for the last three years.”

That last part is key. Burke’s time in Columbus saw him face off against some of the most electrifying receivers in college football, including Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. on a daily basis in practice. And in games, he often shadowed the opposition’s WR1, a rarity for college corners.

Burke, a 6-foot, 190-pound press corner, emerged as a starter for the Buckeyes as a true freshman in 2021. He quickly earned national recognition, displaying elite hip fluidity, recovery speed, and a competitive fire that made him a fan favorite in Columbus.

Over four seasons at Ohio State, Burke started 38 games, recording 125 tackles, 29 pass deflections, and five interceptions. While those stats are solid, they don’t tell the full story. Burke often played in sticky man coverage, discouraging quarterbacks from even targeting his side of the field. His film against Michigan and Penn State in particular drew praise from scouts for his ability to disrupt timing routes and handle NFL-caliber receivers one-on-one.

Some analysts projected Burke as a third-rounder, but questions about his top-end speed (he ran a 4.50 40-yard dash at the Combine) and occasional inconsistency in run support caused him to fall. For Arizona, that slide became a golden opportunity.

“Denzel’s tape speaks louder than any stopwatch,” Cardinals defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson said. “He understands leverage, he understands route combinations. And more than anything, he’s coachable. That’s what we need.”

Burke’s addition couldn’t come at a better time for the Cardinals. Arizona’s secondary struggled mightily in 2024, allowing an average of 248.6 passing yards per game, ranking 27th in the league. Veteran corner Marco Wilson was inconsistent, and while 2023 third-round pick Garrett Williams showed promise, injuries and depth issues plagued the unit.

The team signed journeyman corner Amani Oruwariye in free agency but acknowledged the move was more of a short-term patch than a long-term solution. Drafting Burke gives the Cardinals a high-upside developmental piece who could realistically compete for starting reps by midseason, especially in nickel or dime formations.

“He’s got the mindset to push for a job right away,” Gannon said. “But we’re not putting pressure on him. He’ll develop on his timeline. We just know the potential is there.”

Burke’s strengths align well with what Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis are building in Arizona. The Cardinals run a varied coverage scheme, mixing in Cover-3, quarters, and aggressive man-to-man looks. Burke’s ability to excel in press-man situations makes him ideal for third-down packages, where the team has often resorted to soft zone coverage with poor results.

Moreover, Burke’s comfort playing boundary corner will give the Cardinals flexibility in how they deploy Williams, Oruwariye, and second-year DB Kei’Trel Clark, who had flashes of brilliance in the slot last season.

Arizona’s coaching staff envisions Burke as a player who can eventually develop into a No. 1 cornerback—perhaps not immediately, but within a year or two.

Another under-discussed advantage of drafting Burke is the support system he’ll have in the locker room. Players like Zach Harrison and Pete Werner have vouched for Burke’s leadership and discipline, traits that could help him acclimate to the pros faster than most rookies.

“Denzel’s one of the smartest guys I’ve ever played with,” Harrison said in a team media segment. “He’s always studying. He was like that as a freshman. Always asking questions, always watching extra film. The Cardinals are getting a dog.”

The familiarity and camaraderie from his Ohio State brethren may also help Burke mentally adjust to the NFL grind, especially during a Cardinals rebuild that has asked a lot of its young players in recent years.

The Cardinals are not in win-now mode, and that’s important context for understanding the Burke pick. Arizona has spent the last two drafts stockpiling talent and building depth. The 2024 first-round pick of Marvin Harrison Jr. signaled the franchise’s new direction—investing in high-character, highly productive players from powerhouse programs.

That philosophy continued in 2025. With Burke, Arizona isn’t just getting a player—they’re getting a competitor who’s been through the fire, who knows what it takes to earn a role at the highest level of college football.

As rebuilding teams often do, Arizona is betting on development. If Burke blossoms into a starting-caliber corner, the trade with Dallas could become one of the savvier moves of this year’s draft.

The pick drew strong praise from NFL analysts across the board.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah:
“I had a late third-round grade on Burke. This is a steal for Arizona. He’s polished, he’s aggressive, and he’s got a short memory, which you love in a corner.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.:
“People forget Denzel Burke was being talked about as a potential Day 1 pick last summer. Some injuries and inconsistencies dropped him a bit, but the traits are all there. Smart gamble by the Cardinals.”

The Ringer’s Danny Kelly:
“Arizona might have found their next defensive leader in Burke. He’s that type of presence. Could be a tone-setter if he earns the reps.”

In a league increasingly defined by passing offenses and elite receiving talent, finding capable cornerbacks is more important than ever. The Arizona Cardinals know this—and they’re responding accordingly.

Denzel Burke isn’t just another Day 3 corner. He’s a proven competitor from one of college football’s most elite programs. He’s tough, smart, and eager to prove that his draft-day slide was a mistake.

The Cardinals’ front office saw that fire and made their move. Now, the ball is in Burke’s court. If he delivers on his promise, Arizona may have landed one of the biggest defensive steals of the 2025 draft—and extended the Buckeye-to-Cardinal pipeline even further.