Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft Big Board: Five players who make sense at each pick

New York Times

03-04-2025

TEMPE, Ariz. — With top 10 picks the past two years, the Arizona Cardinals could reasonably predict how the draft might unfold before their turn to select. That won't be the case this month. At No. 16, GM Monti Ossenfort and his staff will have little idea. They'll have to be open to several possibilities.
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That should make the draft, which runs April 24-26, more interesting for an organization that has made the playoffs once since 2016. Arizona's biggest needs are on the offensive and defensive lines, edge rusher, linebacker and receiver. The Cardinals enter the draft with six picks: 16, 47, 78, 115, 152 and 225.
Let's look at some options:
Arizona made strong moves during free agency, which gives them draft flexibility. Needing help along the defensive front, the Cardinals signed edge rusher Josh Sweat, along with defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. This means they can focus on the best player at 16, someone such as Georgia's Jalon Walker, if available.
The explosive Walker can play linebacker or edge. The son of a coach, he also brings the football character and leadership the Cardinals seek. Alabama's Jihaad Campbell is considered the draft's top off-ball linebacker. He could replace starter Kyzir White, a free agent whose return looks unlikely.
Ossenfort believes in building the offensive line through the draft. The Cardinals need help at right guard, where previous starter Will Hernandez (also a free agent) recovers from ACL surgery. In addition, veteran right tackle Jonah Williams is entering the final year of his contract.
Alabama's Tyler Booker and Ohio State's Donovan Jackson are among the draft's top interior linemen (Jackson also played some tackle in college). Both were second-team All-Americans. Booker was a team captain and Jackson was coached by the Cardinals' new offensive line coach, Justin Frye.
It might be too soon to grab Oregon's Derrick Harmon, but Ossenfort has made trades during his first two Arizona drafts. He could slide back a few spots and take a versatile defensive tackle in the first round for the second year in a row.
Solid pick: Harmon or Jackson.
Win the draft: Walker.
Arizona's decision at 16 dictates what they do at 47, but given the draft's depth at defensive tackle and edge rusher, this would be a logical place to target those positions. Especially if Ossenfort goes offensive line in the first round.
Ohio State's Jack Sawyer and Ole Miss' Princely Umanmielen both were strong college pass rushers. Some view Sawyer, remembered for his clinching scoop-and-score touchdown against Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals, as a late second-rounder, but the guess here is he will go earlier. Umanmielen got better as his college career unfolded, posting 10.5 sacks last season.
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South Carolina's T.J. Sanders and Toledo's Darius Alexander could start as rotational pieces before developing into starting roles on the defensive line.
The Cardinals could use a promising young linebacker like UCLA's Carson Schwesinger. He began as a college walk-on and finished as one of the nation's top tacklers. His instinct and nose for the ball are elite.
Solid pick: Sawyer.
Win the draft: Schwesinger.
Ossenfort has done well in the third round in previous drafts. Syracuse corner Garrett Williams, taken in 2023, turned into one of his better picks. There's potential to do the same here at 78.
Despite selecting Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4 last year, the Cardinals still need receivers. A hurdle: The crop in this draft isn't great. The Cardinals reportedly had a formal combine meeting with Ole Miss' Tre Harris, who has impressive size and speed, but TCU's Jack Bech may be a better fit. He's physical and has excellent ball skills.
Georgia's Tate Ratledge is a versatile offensive lineman who could help this season. Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins has the football IQ the Cardinals seek — he earned All-Academic honors in college — and is strong against the run.
UCLA's Femi Oladejo, who last season switched from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher, is a nice option if the Cardinals don't take a pass rusher in the first or second rounds.
Solid pick: Ratledge or Oladejo.
Win the draft: Bech.
Around this point, teams start to draft on potential. Colorado State's Tory Horton missed half of last season with a knee injury, but he was an All-Mountain West receiver and punt returner as a junior. William & Mary tackle Charles Grant, an FCS All-American with a 7-foot wingspan, has high potential.
Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills is more established. A three-year starter and team captain, he had 7.5 sacks in 13 games last season. Kansas corner Cobee Bryant says he was named after Kobe Bryant because his parents knew he would have a 'big dawg mentality.' That's what you want at this position. He had 13 interceptions in four seasons. Central Arkansas edge rusher David Walker, an FCS All-American, might need time but could be worth the wait.
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Solid pick: Mills or Bryant.
Win the draft: Grant.
The Cardinals are set at safety with Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson, but Thompson approaches his last season under contract. At 152, it would make sense to shore up depth at the position. Alabama's Malachi Moore was a versatile defensive back and two-time team captain. Penn State's Jaylen Reed, a second-team All-Big Ten selection, is another option.
This is not a great draft for centers, but two might be worth consideration. Ohio State's Seth McLaughlin or Texas' Jake Majors could turn into a future replacement for Arizona starter Hjalte Froholdt, who's under contract for two more seasons. McLaughlin is recovering from an Achilles tear. Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson, from nearby Gilbert, Ariz., had 12 TFLs last season.
Solid pick: Moore or McLaughlin.
Win the draft: Majors.
A special-teams contributor would be ideal at 225. UCF corner Mac McWilliams talked about this during his combine media session, saying he was ready to 'give it his all.' Maryland safety Dante Trader Jr., and Cal safety Craig Woodson also might do well in this role.
Receiver Ja'Corey Brooks started his career at Alabama before finishing at Louisville, where he was All-ACC. Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks, a college workhorse, likely will go in the sixth round but could slip.
Solid pick: Trader or Woodson.
Win the draft: Tahj Brooks.
(Photo of Georgia's Jalon Walker: Brett Davis / Imagn Images)