The Arizona Cardinals doubled their win total in 2024, though at 8-9, they still fell short of the playoffs. Still, this is a franchise on the rise that could be one strong draft class away from its first playoff appearance since 2021. How did the Cardinals grade out in the 2025 NFL Draft?
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Overall Cardinals Draft Grade: A
We knew that the Cardinals would focus on the defensive side of the ball, and they didn’t disappoint. Arizona took nothing but defenders until the tail end of Round 6, a class that includes the elite pedigree of Walter Nolen (an elite pass rusher who now can pick the brain of Calais Campbell) and tremendous value on Will Johnson (an instinctive corner who fell down draft boards based on his medicals).
We know that Kyler Murray has elite upside. We know Marvin Harrison Jr. checks every prospect box you could ask for. We know that Trey McBride is the future of a position (along with Brock Bowers) that is seeing its value increase annually.
The offense could explode in 2025 and after this draft, the Cardinals now have a defense that has the potential to at least hold serve. This franchise hasn’t advanced past Wild Card Weekend since 2015 – that very well could change this winter.
Grades for Every Cardinals Draft Pick
- Round 1, Pick 16
Walter Nolen, DT | Ole Miss
Grade: B+
The Cardinals aggressively addressed their defensive line in free agency, with inbound additions like Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Calais Campbell. That complete reworking of the defensive front has continued today with the selection of Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen in Round 1.
Nolen checks every cosmetic box at DT. He’s 6’3”, 293 pounds and has near-34” arms and hyper-elite explosive capacity – expected of a former five-star recruit. And in 2024, he showed off his best technique yet, with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. That growth no doubt served as a selling point for Arizona.
Filing in nicely alongside Tomlinson at 3-tech, 4i, and 5-tech, Nolen has a true two-phase ability if he can dial in on a down-to-down basis. There have been rumors about his overall demeanor and coachability, but his development in 2024 was a promising sign, and no DT prospect has a physical tool set as tantalizing as Nolen’s.
- Round 2, Pick 47
Will Johnson, CB | Michigan
Grade: A+
At last, a top-12 prospect in Will Johnson is finally off the board in Round 2. His degenerative knee issue will be the big variable in his eventual outcome. But if Johnson can stay healthy, he can go on to be one of the best value deals outright in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
The Cardinals needed to acquire a starting boundary CB in this class, and Johnson fits what Jonathan Gannon needs to a tee. In zone coverage, Johnson is fluid, quick to react, and a natural playmaker, and in man coverage, he can use his size and twitch to dictate releases, match, and corral receivers. A high-quality prospect with schematic versatility and two-phase playmaking appeal, Johnson could be the prize of the draft for the Cardinals.
- Round 3, Pick 78
Jordan Burch, EDGE | Oregon
Grade: A
Josh Sweat was a big addition for the Cardinals in free agency, but they entered the NFL Draft still needing a complement to Sweat on the other side. Ideally, that addition would be a power-oriented player to compress the pocket and force double teams his way. Jordan Burch fits that vision well.
At almost 6’5” and 280 pounds, Burch is a freakish size-athleticism specimen with a rare blend of compact mass, energized explosiveness, and bend capacity. He can rush as far inside as 3-tech and 4i on a situational basis, but he also has the athleticism to be a stand-up rusher with build-up speed.
Overall, his versatility, power, and unhinged motor present a big boost for Jonathan Gannon’s defense and rounds out what is becoming a fearsome defensive front.
- Round 4, Pick 115
Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
Grade: B-
There aren’t too many issues with Cody Simon as a player here. He has good size, great athleticism, and he’s coming off a career-best campaign in which he showed true upside a a productive MIKE linebacker. He can manage hip leverage in coverage, he can crash downhill, and he can blitz. In time, he should become a solid starter for Arizona.
The opportunity cost here, however, is that the Cardinals passed up several receivers who would’ve improved their middling receiving corps. Beyond Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals have very little dependable ammunition, and that offensive construction hurt them in 2024.
- Round 5, Pick 174
Denzel Burke, CB | Ohio State
Grade: A- - Round 6, Pick 211
Hayden Conner, G | Texas
Grade: B+ - Round 7, Pick 225
Kitan Crawford, S | Nevada
Grade: A