Cardinals’ Perfect First-Round Pick Revealed
The Arizona Cardinals have several needs that need to be filled by the end of the 2025 NFL Draft. The defense from top to bottom needs reinforcements and depth, with some positions (edge rusher, interior defensive linemen) needing more than others.
The offense needs another wide receiver, preferably a quicker guy. And of course, the offensive line needs some help.
Paris Johnson Jr. moved from right tackle to left last season and had wild success. He was playing at a Pro Bowl level before a late-season injury. It’s been a long time since the Cardinals had a true franchise blindside protector.
The rest of the line, however, is replaceable at best, and one spot in particular is a glaring weakness — right guard. It’s a spot I’ve said is the largest hole on the team right now. Additions have been made for holes on defense, but there is no answer at right guard.
Arizona has the talent to be an elite run-based offense in 2025, so the need for good guard play skyrockets because of it.
The offensive line talent in the 2025 class is strong, but most of it comes outside at tackle. Interior linemen prospects, both guard and center, are much more scarce; it could force teams to grab guys earlier than in other classes.
The Cardinals could be one of those teams if they plan to fix the spot through the draft. It’s a logical conclusion and one that many are arriving at — including the guys over at Bleacher Report.
B/R recently published an “ideal pick” on day one of the draft for all 32 teams. When the Cardinals rolled around, their decision lined up with filling the hole at right guard and selected Alabama’s Tyler Booker.
It’s a curious selection only based on his perceived value in terms of where he is being drafted in mocks, but I do believe he goes on day one. I also believe he could be a top-20 pick, so this doesn’t surprise me too much.
The author of the piece, Moe Moton, offered his take on the selection:
“…Booker would bring much-needed size up front on the offensive side of the ball. Coming from an RPO-based scheme with Jalen Milroe under center at Alabama, Booker should be able to keep up with how electric (Kyler) Murray can be on the move.”
It’s worth noting that Murray previously said he wanted to start running more in 2025. The former Heisman Trophy winner is a serious threat to run, but he hasn’t capitalized on those abilities in years. If the Cardinals want to amplify Murray’s rushing abilities, then it will require beefing up the trenches.
