- Securing two top-15 prospects on protection: Caution and apprehension from different franchises allowed the Cardinals to safe two extremely touted prospects on protection in Walter Nolen and Will Johnson.
- Boosting the go rush by any means needed: With his large measurement (6-foot-5 and 290 kilos) and scheme versatility, Jordan Burch might very effectively discover a dwelling on the inside, the place he can use his energy, size and explosion as a go rusher, evidenced by his 86.8 PFF pass-rush grade on true go units.
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Cardinals normal supervisor Monti Ossenfort understands the secret on draft day is worth, which is strictly why Arizona managed to return away with two of the category’s top-15 prospects. With wants on protection, the Cardinals spent six of their seven picks on probably impactful defenders, with many profiling as gamers that would become starters on the subsequent stage. Addressing wants and doing it with gifted choices is strictly why Arizona earned one PFF’s highest draft grades.
Arizona Cardinals 2025 NFL Draft Class:
1 (16): DI Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
2 (47): CB Will Johnson, Michigan
3 (78): ED Jordan Burch, Oregon
4 (115): LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
5 (174): CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
6 (211): G Hayden Conner, Texas
7 (225): S Kitan Crawford, Nevada
Boosting the defensive entrance with one other high-end expertise in Round 1: To kick issues off, the Cardinals added a particularly gifted participant to amplify their defensive entrance. As a plus run defender, Walter Nolen earned the second-highest PFF run-defense grade within the FBS this previous season (91.6). The seventh-ranked prospect on PFF’s huge board will immediately improve an Arizona protection that ranked twenty seventh in EPA allowed per rush in 2024.
Upgrading the secondary with a top-15 prospect in Round 2: A tricky harm reduce Will Johnson’s 2024 marketing campaign quick and despatched his draft inventory tumbling. However, he did show his stage of expertise throughout his tenure at Michigan. His 57.2 passer ranking allowed in protection throughout the previous three seasons charted within the 94th percentile. Pairing Johnson with breakout cornerback Garrett Williams will improve a protection unit that allowed the sixth-highest EPA per dropback.
Rookie to observe: S Kitan Crawford, Nevada
Crawford is an athletic prospect who lastly bought an opportunity to begin at Nevada after spending 4 years as a task participant at Texas. He earned an excellent 88.5 PFF protection grade in his lone season as a starter. His athleticism is his major enchantment, which he showcased in spades on the NFL Scouting Combine. However, he must turn into extra refined in protection and a greater tackler to have one thing greater than a particular groups position. But given his affect and expertise as a key particular teamer, count on to see him earn his time on the unit early.
Position/position battle to observe: ED Jordan Burch vs. DI Justin Jones
After the Cardinals addressed a necessity on the sting throughout free company by signing Josh Sweat and re-signing Baron Browning, they seemingly will not give Burch a lot time at exterior linebacker in Jonathan Gannon’s 3-4 scheme. Yet, along with his large measurement (6-foot-5 and 290 kilos) and scheme versatility, Burch might very effectively discover a dwelling on the inside, the place he can use his energy, size and explosion as a go rusher, evidenced by his 86.8 PFF go rush grade on true go units.
Draft grade: A+