The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear objective: to fortify their defense and build a foundation for future success. Under the leadership of General Manager Monti Ossenfort and Head Coach Jonathan Gannon, the team focused heavily on defensive selections, aiming to address key weaknesses and enhance their roster depth.
The Cardinals selected Walter Nolen III, a dominant defensive tackle from Ole Miss, with their first-round pick. Nolen’s 2024 season was impressive, recording 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. His explosive play and ability to disrupt the backfield make him a valuable addition to Arizona’s defensive line. Nolen joins a rotation that includes veterans like Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, providing him with mentorship opportunities as he transitions to the NFL .
In the second round, the Cardinals addressed their secondary by drafting Will Johnson, a talented cornerback from Michigan. Despite concerns about his injury history, Johnson was considered a first-round talent by many analysts. His college career was marked by strong performances, including three interceptions returned for touchdowns and limited opposing receivers to just two touchdowns over three seasons .
The third round saw the Cardinals selecting Jordan Burch, an edge rusher from Oregon. Burch brings size and athleticism to the position, having recorded 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss during his college career. His versatility allows him to play both on the edge and inside, providing flexibility for the Cardinals’ defensive schemes .
Cody Simon, an inside linebacker from Ohio State, was selected in the fourth round. Simon served as the Buckeyes’ Mike linebacker and was named the defensive MVP in the National Championship game. His leadership and tackling ability are expected to bolster the Cardinals’ linebacker corps .
With their fifth-round pick, the Cardinals added another Ohio State defender, cornerback Denzel Burke. Burke’s experience and ball skills add depth to the secondary, complementing the earlier selection of Will Johnson .
In the seventh round, Arizona addressed the offensive line by drafting Hayden Conner, a guard from Texas. Conner’s size and strength provide potential for development, aiming to add depth and competition to the interior line positions .
The Cardinals concluded their draft by selecting Kitan Crawford, a safety from Nevada. Crawford’s speed and special teams experience make him a candidate to contribute in multiple phases of the game .
The Cardinals’ 2025 draft strategy was heavily defense-oriented, with their first five selections focusing on that side of the ball. This approach aimed to address the team’s defensive shortcomings from the previous season. Analysts have given the Cardinals’ draft class generally positive reviews, with grades ranging from B to A-. The selection of Walter Nolen was seen as a high-upside move, while Will Johnson’s potential to outperform his draft position was highlighted .
Offense
- Quarterback: Kyler Murray (Starter), Jacoby Brissett (Backup)
- Running Back: James Conner (Starter), Trey Benson, Emari Demercado
- Wide Receivers:
- WR1: Marvin Harrison Jr.
- WR2: Michael Wilson
- Slot: Greg Dortch
- Depth: Zay Jones, Simi Fehoko, Xavier Weaver
- Tight End: Trey McBride (Starter), Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins
- Offensive Line:
- Left Tackle: Paris Johnson Jr.
- Left Guard: Christian Jones
- Center: Evan Brown
- Right Guard: Hayden Conner
- Right Tackle: Jake Curhan
Defense
- Defensive Line:
- Defensive Ends: Calais Campbell, L.J. Collier
- Defensive Tackle: Walter Nolen
- Linebackers:
- Outside Linebackers: Jordan Burch, Zaven Collins
- Inside Linebackers: Cody Simon, Kyzir White
- Cornerbacks:
- Starters: Will Johnson, Denzel Burke
- Nickel: Marco Wilson
- Safeties:
- Free Safety: Budda Baker
- Strong Safety: Jalen Thompson
Special Teams
- Kicker: Chad Ryland
- Punter: Blake Gillikin
- Long Snapper: Aaron Brewer
- Kick Returner: DeeJay Dallas
- Punt Returner: Greg Dortch
The Arizona Cardinals’ focus on defense in the 2025 NFL Draft reflects a commitment to building a more competitive and balanced team. With the infusion of young talent, particularly on the defensive line and secondary, the Cardinals aim to improve upon their 8–9 record from the previous season and contend in the NFC West. The development of their draft picks, combined with the leadership of established veterans, will be crucial in achieving these goals.
