Cardinals 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Building a dominant D one pick at a time

General manager Monti Ossenfort insisted the Arizona Cardinals didnt enter the NFL Draft with intentions to load up on defense thats just how their board fell.

That might be the case, but the results dont lie.

Over the last three days, Arizona positioned itself for an immediate defensive upgrade.

Advertisement Through five rounds, it was almost as if no other needs mattered.

Offensive line? Not this early.

Wide receiver? Not this weekend.

The Cardinals selected Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen at 16 .

Come out here and get after the quarterback, Ossenfort told him on the phone.) They took Michigan corner Will Johnson at 47 .

(Come help us win some games, head coach Jonathan Gannon told him .) In the third round, the Cardinals took Oregon edge rusher Jordan Burch.

In the fourth, Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon.

In the fifth, Ohio State corner Denzel Burke.

Thats five picks, five defensive players.

Overall, six of Arizonas seven picks were defensive players.

This is after signing veteran defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell and edge rusher Josh Sweat during free agency.

Loving this draft by the way! LFG, tweeted star Arizona safety Budda Baker.

You dont say.

Loving this draft by the way! LFG Budda Baker (@Buddabaker3) April 26, 2025 The Cardinals were average last season.

They allowed 22.3 points per game, which ranked 15th.

They ranked 14th in pass defense and 20th in rush defense.

Where they needed help was on the defensive line.

And with the pass rush.

And with depth at corner.

They may have accomplished all three.

The picks Best value pick Shortly after the Cardinals took him in the second round, Michigans Johnson talked with Arizona reporters on a conference call.

The best word to describe his mood peeved.

Not because the Cardinals had selected him but because he had dropped out of the first round for health reasons.

Johnson had battled injuries the past two seasons.

Last year he was limited to only six games because of a toe issue.

Reports surfaced before the draft that teams were nervous about his knee.

On the conference call, Johnson said he felt fine and that he hadnt dealt with his knee in two years.

He said hes still the shutdown corner he was during his best Michigan days and that he couldnt wait to show as much in the desert.

Advertisement Definitely very frustrating, Johnson said.

Just one of those things that motivates you more than anything else.

I know what type of player I am, and Im just happy to be where I am.

Im going to give my all to Arizona, and theyre going to get a great player.

I promise that.

Ossenfort and Gannon could feel Johnsons edge when they called to inform him the Cardinals were about to select him.

They appreciated it.

I know were going to get a very motivated Will, Ossenfort said.

Johnson said he trained for the draft in Arizona and recently golfed with Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Rivals in college, the two talked about how nice it would be to be on the same team, going at each other in practice every day.

Now that its reality, that daily competition could make both players better.

Johnson is sure of it.

Im on a mission now, he said.

Most surprising pick Nolen.

Hear us out.

Its not the defensive tackles talent.

He was a consensus All-American.

Its not his potential.

His college position coach thinks he can make the Pro Football Hall of Fame .

Its the character concerns.

No doubt, draft evaluations can get ridiculous.

Prospects are analyzed in ways that arent always fair.

Body measurements are exact.

But desire, passion and heart can be difficult.

Nolen had his love of the game questioned.

And whether he was a good teammate.

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban said that when Nolen wants to play, he might be as good as any interior lineman in the draft.

When he wants to play ...

One thing Ossenfort and Gannon showed through their first two drafts is how much they value leadership and character.

Even more important: They have to love ball.

Yet, they never hesitated with Nolen.

The defensive tackle actually thanked the Cardinals for taking their concerns to him.

Straight to the source.

How they handled this meant a lot to him.

Advertisement Gannon said he makes up his own mind on such matters, and it didnt take him long to conclude that Nolen was a Cardinal, 1000 percent.

(For what its worth, Gannon in previous drafts did not show the level of excitement he displayed after the Cardinals drafted Nolen.

Giddy isnt correct, but its close.) As for the teammate questions, Gannon the next night shared a moment that surfaced after the Cardinals drafted Johnson in the second round.

He said his cell phone buzzed with text messages from excited players.

One caught Gannons attention.

From Nolen.

He wanted Johnsons cell number.

Gannon informed Nolen that Johnson was a little upset with falling into the second round.

Nolens response, according to Gannon: Dont worry, Coach.

Ill talk to him.

Biggest question mark After taking Nolen in the first round, it was easy to assume that the Cardinals would shift and address the offensive line in the second.

But then Johnson was still available.

Too good to pass up.

So, OK, offensive line in the third.

The Cardinals selected Oregons Burch, an edge rusher.

The Athletic s Dane Brugler had Burch as the drafts 10th-best edge rusher.

Not a future star, but perhaps a solid starter.

That may be the case.

But it just seemed Arizona missed an opportunity to even out the trenches.

The offensive line isnt a finished product.

Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

the No.

6 pick of the 2023 draft is a budding star, but around him the Cardinals have short-term solutions.

Right tackle Jonah Williams is entering the final year of his contract.

Left guard Evan Brown and center Hjalte Froholdt have two remaining years.

Right guard has no established starter.

In the sixth round, the Cardinals finally addressed this, selecting Texas guard Hayden Conner.

For a team that struggled to reach the passer, the Cardinals suddenly have several options.

In addition to Sweat, they return BJ Ojulari, a 2023 second-round pick who missed last season with an ACL injury.

They also have Zaven Collins (five sacks last season) and Baron Browning (two).

And now Burch.

Asked how the Cardinals plan to navigate this sudden logjam, Ossenfort smiled and said such a problem never exists in pro football.

Remaining needs In addition to the offensive line, the Cardinals did nothing to help themselves at receiver, where they appear short-handed.

Harrison Jr.

had a decent rookie season, but his numbers (62 catches, 885 yards and eight touchdowns) slightly exaggerate his impact.

Approaching his third season, Michael Wilson is still working to become a consistent No.

2.

Arizona has Trey McBride, among the games top tight ends, but the Cardinals lack a big-play threat who can make things easier for everybody.

Advertisement Post-draft outlook The Cardinals have had a great offseason.

They made strong moves during free agency.

Then, Ossenfort went out and aced the draft.

Or at least thats how it looks.

Nolen has concerns, but he seems more boom than bust.

If healthy, Johnson could be the steal of the draft.

The Cardinals defense should be among the NFCs most improved.

And that means one thing in the desert playoffs.

Arizona hasnt participated since 2021.

Its time.

(Top photo: Perry Knotts / Getty Images).

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