Everything to Know About the Arizona Cardinals for This Week’s 2025 NFL Draft

2024 Season Recap

• Final Record: 8–9

• Division Standing: 3rd in NFC West

• Playoffs: No

Overview:

The Cardinals made a noticeable leap in 2024 under Jonathan Gannon, doubling their win total from the previous year. Kyler Murray looked closer to form in his return, while rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. was as advertised — explosive, polished, and instantly dominant. The defense showed fight, but inconsistent execution and a lack of playmakers in the front seven stalled progress. Despite the improvement, they dropped four of their last six games and missed the playoffs. The bones of a competitive roster are here, but they need another strong draft to close the gap.

Key Departures (as of 4/20/2025)

• Will Hernandez, OG – Free agent

• Dennis Gardeck, EDGE – Free agent

• Krys Barnes, LB – Free agent

• Michael Palardy, P – Free agent

• Trystan Colon, OL – Free agent

• Jackson Barton, OL – Free agent

• Julian Okwara, OLB – Free agent

Key Free Agent Signings & Re-signings (as of 4/20/2025)

• Josh Sweat, EDGE – Signed from Eagles

• Dalvin Tomlinson, DT – Signed from Browns

• Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB – Signed from Bengals

• Jacoby Brissett, QB – Signed from Commanders

• Jake Curhan, OT – Signed from 49ers

• Simi Fehoko, WR – Signed from Chargers

• Mykal Walker, LB – Signed from Steelers

• Zay Jones, WR – Re-signed

• Evan Brown, OG – Re-signed

• Aaron Brewer, LS – Re-signed

• Joey Blount, S – Re-signed

Notable Scheme or Identity Shift

Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort are building a roster that looks more balanced than any recent version of the Cardinals. Last year’s focus was on setting a foundation — now it’s about solidifying both trenches. The defense is shifting to a more versatile front with added bulk (Tomlinson) and edge pressure (Josh Sweat), while the offense seems centered around efficiency: protect Kyler, feed MHJ, and move the chains. The approach isn’t flashy — but it’s disciplined, physical, and finally trending toward sustainable.

2025 NFL Draft Picks

Arizona currently holds six picks in the 2025 NFL Draft:

• Round 1, Pick 16

• Round 2, Pick 47

• Round 3, Pick 78

• Round 4, Pick 115

• Round 5, Pick 152

• Round 7, Pick 225 (from NY Jets via Kansas City)

Draft Hits (2022–2024)

• Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – Round 1, 2024

Legit WR1 from day one. Nearly hit 1,200 yards with a rotating cast around him.

• Darius Robinson, DL – Round 1, 2024

Versatile front-line piece. Played strong snaps inside and out.

• Trey McBride, TE – Round 2, 2022

Breakout performer in 2023 and 2024. One of the league’s most complete tight ends.

• Paris Johnson Jr., OT – Round 1, 2023

Steady blindside protector. Developing nicely into a franchise LT.

• Kei’Trel Clark, CB – Round 6, 2023

Made starts and contributed in the slot. Value late-round find.

Current Roster Needs

High Priority:

• Offensive Guard – Evan Brown is solid, but they need a starter at the other spot.

• Defensive Tackle – They’ve added bodies, but still lack interior disruption.

• Cornerback – Depth chart is thin, and no true CB1 on the roster.

• Edge Rusher – Sweat is a start, but they need more speed and pressure off the edge.

• Linebacker – Depth is better, but no long-term anchor in the middle yet.

• Center – Interior OL needs depth and a developmental center for post-Brown era.

• Safety – Depth has been added, but still not solidified.

Depth Needed:

• Wide Receiver – MHJ is the alpha, but more youth and vertical speed wouldn’t hurt.

• Running Back – James Conner is aging. A rotational piece or future RB1 could be in play.

• Tight End – Behind McBride, the room is shallow.

• Quarterback – Brissett is a backup. Long-term contingency planning is smart.

Arizona’s roster has improved, but this is still a team with a lot of room to grow. This isn’t a “one piece away” team — they need volume and value in this draft.

2025 Draft Predictions (Rounds 1–3)

Round 1, Pick 16

• Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia – Scheme-flexible athlete who could become the defensive tone-setter.

• Graham Barton, IOL, Duke – Could play center or guard. Instant starter with leadership upside.

• Will Johnson, CB, Michigan – Physical press corner who would walk in as CB1.

Round 2, Pick 47

• Zak Zinter, G, Michigan – Coming off injury, but elite movement and run-blocking power.

• Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – YAC weapon with upside. Would complement MHJ nicely.

• Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss – Sticky man-to-man corner with SEC battle experience.

Round 3, Pick 78

• Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame – Downhill bruiser who would thrive in a rotation behind Conner.

• Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – Can block and work seams. Ideal TE2.

• Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo – Explosive, raw traits. Developmental with high upside.

Quick Take

This is one of the most important drafts of the Gannon/Ossenfort rebuild. They’ve cleaned up the cap, hit on some stars (MHJ, McBride, Paris Johnson), and built a culture that fights — now it’s time to find starters. With six picks, there’s little room for error. If they come out of this with three day-one contributors, they’ll be in the playoff hunt. If not, the climb continues.

Cap Room & Post-Draft Watchlist (as of 4/20/2025)

• Cap Space: Around $75.5 million — top 5 in available funds

• Possible Free Agent Targets Post-Draft:

o Connor Williams, C – Still the best available interior lineman

o Casey Hayward, CB – Veteran insurance if they miss on DBs

o Kareem Hunt, RB – Could fit as short-yardage insurance behind Conner

o Justin Simmons, S – Expensive, but would instantly stabilize the back end

Players to Watch in 2025

• Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – Star already. A full offseason with Kyler should unlock even more.

• Darius Robinson, DL – Year two could define his ceiling.

• Trey McBride, TE – Could lead all NFC tight ends in yards if the offense clicks.

• Paris Johnson Jr., OT – Quietly becoming one of the better young tackles in the league.

• Kyler Murray, QB – No more excuses. The roster’s better — now it’s on him.