The 2025 NFL Draft has generated a lot of excitement for teams, as they look to find their next franchise cornerstone or a key piece to push them over the top. For the Arizona Cardinals, this year’s first-round pick is especially crucial, given their rebuilding efforts and their position as one of the teams still searching for stability after years of mediocrity and organizational turnover. However, in such a draft filled with high-profile talents and breakout candidates, the Cardinals may find themselves in a tricky situation with the player they select at the top of the draft board.
When you look at the overall prospects available, there’s no shortage of players with immense upside—many of whom are expected to immediately impact the teams that draft them. But with the Arizona Cardinals sitting in a position where their future is on the line, there’s a pressing question surrounding their first-round pick: Is this player worth the risk? Given the inherent volatility in drafting players, particularly in the first round, the Cardinals have one of the highest potential bust picks of the entire 2025 draft class.
This article will explore the reasons why the Cardinals’ first-round pick has one of the highest bust potentials, focusing on several key factors: team needs, the player’s profile, and the historical context of first-round picks in the NFL Draft.
In order to understand the potential bust risks surrounding the Cardinals’ pick, it’s important to examine the organization itself. The Arizona Cardinals are in a period of transition, with new leadership and a roster that is far from perfect. With the departure of veteran players and coaching staff turnover, the team is entering a rebuild under head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort. While they have some promising young talents, they still have numerous holes, particularly at key positions like quarterback, offensive line, and edge rusher.
With the pick being part of their rebuild, the Cardinals must balance the need to draft a player who can contribute immediately with the need to select someone who has long-term potential. This pressure creates an environment where drafting for immediate impact might not align with the best long-term choice. Furthermore, Arizona has been prone to making questionable draft decisions in the past, such as selecting players with injury concerns or players whose skills did not translate well to the NFL level. This creates a history of picks that have either underperformed or failed to meet expectations, raising the stakes for their 2025 first-round selection.
A recurring theme when discussing the Cardinals’ draft process is the temptation to prioritize positional needs over the raw talent of a player. Historically, teams that take this approach may end up overlooking red flags in a player’s profile, such as injury concerns, inconsistencies, or lack of proven high-level competition experience. While addressing a glaring need is crucial for rebuilding teams, the risk comes when this need leads to selecting a player who is less talented or has a lower ceiling than other prospects available. This is especially critical in the first round, where picks are viewed as foundational, and a miss could set the franchise back for years.
Take, for example, the Cardinals’ selection of a quarterback if they choose to go that route in the first round. Arizona has been searching for stability at the quarterback position ever since the departure of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, and although Kyler Murray offers flashes of brilliance, his inability to stay healthy has created doubt about his long-term viability. A first-round quarterback might seem like the answer, but history tells us that selecting a quarterback with little to no protection or viable weapons can often lead to failure. Consider the struggles of other first-round quarterbacks taken by teams with poor offensive lines or lacking support systems. Without addressing the team’s broader structural issues, selecting a quarterback could lead to a repeat of past mistakes.
Alternatively, the Cardinals could opt to select a player at another position of need, such as edge rusher or offensive tackle. While both positions are vital, choosing a player who is raw or has shown only flashes of brilliance at the college level raises the bust potential. It’s tempting to pull the trigger on a player who fits an immediate need, but taking this route can often lead to a project rather than a day-one starter.
The primary reason why the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round pick has such high bust potential is directly tied to the player’s profile. Whether it’s a quarterback, offensive lineman, or defensive player, the risks associated with this pick are worth closely analyzing. Let’s break down some of the top candidates and the concerns they bring to the table.
A. Quarterbacks With Inconsistent Play:
If the Cardinals decide to draft a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft, they could be looking at a highly touted but inconsistent player who shows flashes of brilliance yet lacks the polish to be a consistent starter. Players like this tend to have upside but also come with major question marks. From mechanics issues to limited college competition, their transition to the NFL could be filled with growing pains, meaning their high ceiling might remain untapped.
B. Offensive Linemen With Questionable Fundamentals:
A major need for the Cardinals is a franchise-altering offensive tackle or interior lineman. There are several candidates in the 2025 draft, but many of these players lack refined fundamentals, and their lack of experience against elite competition raises concerns. If the Cardinals select one of these players based on sheer size and potential, they risk missing out on a true impact player in favor of a project. NFL offensive lines are unforgiving, and players who struggle with fundamentals often don’t meet expectations in the pros.
C. Edge Rushers With Inconsistent Motor:
Another area where the Cardinals may look to improve is the edge rusher position. They’ve been unable to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback, and many of the top edge rushers in the 2025 draft have a mix of dominant moments and worrying lapses. If Arizona takes a player who doesn’t consistently show up in games or struggles with his work ethic, the odds of success drop significantly.
The NFL Draft is a high-stakes gamble, and while many players pan out, there’s always a risk of choosing a player who doesn’t meet expectations. In the first round, that risk is particularly high due to the pressure of picking a player who can change the franchise’s fortunes. Arizona’s own history is a testament to this. The Cardinals have had several first-round picks that have failed to meet expectations, whether due to injury concerns, lack of development, or simply not translating to the NFL level. Players like linebacker Haason Reddick and running back Jonathan Williams come to mind as players who didn’t meet their full potential in Arizona.
The history of first-round picks who didn’t live up to expectations in the NFL is extensive. Busts like JaMarcus Russell, Robert Griffin III, and more recently, players like Josh Rosen, all highlight how risky a first-round pick can be. Teams that focus on drafting based on needs or taking chances on players with question marks often end up looking back with regret. If the Cardinals are not careful in their selection process, they risk adding to that list of failed first-round picks.
The Arizona Cardinals are in the midst of a critical rebuilding phase, and they need players who can contribute immediately to set the tone for their future success. If the player they select in the first round fails to meet expectations early on, it could set the entire organization back. With fans and front-office pressure to find success quickly, any high-potential pick that doesn’t pan out could have lasting ramifications, further delaying the rebuild and leaving the team in a cycle of mediocrity.
The Arizona Cardinals’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has the potential to be one of the highest bust risks in recent memory. Whether it’s due to the inherent volatility in evaluating prospects or the team’s own history of making questionable decisions, Arizona faces a high-stakes gamble with this selection. The need to balance talent, team fit, and long-term development makes this decision all the more critical for a franchise that has endured a long stretch of disappointment.
By selecting a player with the highest ceiling and minimizing concerns about short-term impact, the Cardinals can avoid adding another bust to their record and set themselves up for a brighter future. The pressure is on, and for the Arizona Cardinals, getting this pick right is everything.
