The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2025 NFL Draft with one of the most significant war chests of draft capital and a host of roster needs. Coming off a 4-13 season in the first year under head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort, the Cardinals knew they needed to hit big. According to three different executives around the league, they did exactly that.
“Arizona nailed it,” said one AFC executive. “You could argue they got the best receiver in the draft, added trench talent, and picked up extra picks for next year. That’s how you rebuild a team the right way.”
League insiders often keep their draft grades quiet publicly, but behind closed doors, praise for Arizona’s approach has been steady. With savvy maneuvering and premium talent selections, the Cardinals are seen as one of the big winners of the 2025 draft. Here’s a closer look at why three executives—each with a different background—believe Arizona’s draft was a franchise-altering moment.
1. Landing a Blue-Chip Superstar: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
“Marvin Harrison Jr. changes the whole dynamic for that team,” a senior NFC scouting director said. “You pair him with Kyler [Murray], and suddenly that offense has real bite.”
The Cardinals entered the draft with the No. 4 overall pick after finishing with one of the league’s worst records, but also held the No. 27 pick from the Deshaun Watson trade via Houston. When Harrison Jr., long regarded as the most NFL-ready wideout prospect in years, was still available at No. 4, Arizona wasted no time.
The son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, the Ohio State star brings size, precise route-running, elite ball tracking, and a veteran-like polish to Arizona’s receiving corps. One AFC executive said his team had a top-3 grade on Harrison regardless of position.
“There’s no bust potential there,” he said. “He’s going to catch 90 balls a year for the next decade. Instant WR1 and locker room leader.”
Adding Harrison gives Murray a true No. 1 weapon for the first time since DeAndre Hopkins’ prime in the desert. He also allows younger wideouts like Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch to develop in more natural roles.
2. Building the Trenches: DL Darius Robinson, OT Kingsley Suamataia
Arizona didn’t stop at the skill positions. The Cardinals used their second and third picks on the line of scrimmage—one on each side of the ball.
With the 27th overall pick, Arizona selected Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson, a powerful and versatile defender who rose up draft boards late in the process. One NFC West executive said Robinson was a nightmare to prepare for at the college level.
“Super long arms, plays with leverage, has a real motor,” the exec said. “They got a tone-setter for that defense.”
Robinson brings needed depth and disruption to a defense that finished near the bottom in both sacks and run defense in 2024. He can line up at multiple spots along the line, giving Gannon the flexibility he craves.
In Round 2, the Cardinals scooped up BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia, a massive and athletic prospect with starting upside. While raw in some technical aspects, Suamataia has the movement skills to eventually anchor the left side—or immediately challenge for the right tackle job.
“He’s still learning,” said an AFC executive familiar with Suamataia’s pre-draft process. “But that’s a high-upside pick in the second round. With a little patience and coaching, he could be special.”
The pick gives Arizona insurance on the offensive line and possibly a long-term bookend tackle to pair with Paris Johnson Jr., last year’s top pick.
3. Drafting for Depth and Development
In total, Arizona made 11 selections, and their mid- and late-round picks received praise as well. Day 3 of the draft often separates good classes from great ones, and evaluators loved how the Cardinals attacked the board.
One AFC executive highlighted running back Bucky Irving (Round 4, Oregon) and cornerback Elijah Jones (Round 5, Boston College) as value steals.
“Irving’s got juice, man. Great in space, tough despite his size, and he can help in the passing game,” he said. “And Jones is a 6’2″ corner who runs—those don’t fall in your lap every day.”
Irving projects as an excellent complement to starter James Conner and could become a featured weapon in third-down situations. Jones adds needed length and speed to a secondary that struggled in man coverage.
Another executive pointed to linebacker Trevin Wallace (Round 3, Kentucky) as a quietly excellent fit.
“He flies around,” he said. “Modern linebacker—can cover, can blitz, and doesn’t get overwhelmed by big bodies. Gannon will love him.”
Arizona also added depth at safety, defensive line, and offensive guard, ensuring multiple spots across the roster saw infusions of young talent.
4. Monti Ossenfort’s Masterclass in Trade Value
Perhaps most impressive of all was how GM Monti Ossenfort moved around the board. He traded down twice and up once, netting three extra picks in 2025—including a projected second-rounder that could fall in the top 40 overall.
“They know they’re not one year away,” an NFC exec said. “So Monti’s playing the long game. Getting Harrison was the big move, but building for ’25 and ’26? That’s the smart part.”
Arizona has already stockpiled picks for the next draft cycle, which could feature multiple elite quarterback prospects, top-tier defensive players, and blue-chip offensive linemen. The flexibility allows Ossenfort to continue building the roster with premium picks—or to make a splash trade if needed.
“Some teams chase it all in one draft,” the AFC exec said. “They didn’t. They built the foundation this year, and they’re setting themselves up to keep adding.”
5. Culture and Leadership Alignment
Beyond the raw talent, executives noted how well Arizona’s picks align with the new culture under Gannon. Each draftee was noted for high-character traits, work ethic, and love for football.
“This wasn’t just a best-player-available draft,” one executive said. “They got their kind of guys.”
That includes players like Harrison Jr., who was universally praised for his maturity and leadership at Ohio State; Robinson, a team captain at Missouri; and Wallace, who overcame adversity during his college career to emerge as a leader in the locker room.
The Cardinals were clearly drafting not just athletes, but culture drivers.
“You can’t win without that,” the AFC exec added. “The teams that turn things around—Detroit, Houston, San Francisco—they all had that moment where the culture changed. Arizona’s starting to look like that team.”
Final Grade: A Across the Board
While the true outcome of a draft class can’t be measured until players hit the field, the early reviews from around the league are glowing. All three executives who spoke to us gave Arizona an “A” grade or better.
“I’d put them in the top three,” said the AFC exec. “Marvin Harrison Jr. is the headline, but the full picture—how they moved around the board, filled needs, and stayed true to their board—that’s what makes it special.”
The Cardinals’ rebuild is far from over, but the 2025 NFL Draft may prove to be a turning point. Armed with a young star wide receiver, bolstered trenches, improved depth, and more picks to come, Arizona suddenly feels like a team on the rise—and the rest of the league is taking notice.
Key Cardinals 2025 Draft Picks:
- Round 1, Pick 4: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
- Round 1, Pick 27: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri
- Round 2, Pick 35: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
- Round 3, Pick 71: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
- Round 4, Pick 104: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
- Round 5, Pick 137: Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
The Arizona Cardinals may still be early in their rebuild, but the 2025 NFL Draft gave them more than talent—it gave them credibility. With multiple league insiders praising their strategy, execution, and player fits, the narrative around the Cardinals is shifting.
They didn’t just draft a team—they drafted a future.
