The Arizona Cardinals put themselves in a position after NFL free agency to not have any glaring needs to address in the NFL draft. The defensive line is much better after bringing back L.J. Collier and adding Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. Plus, Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols will be back from injuries. The defensive edge was bolstered with the return of Baron Browning and the addition of Josh Sweat, and BJ Ojulari's return from a torn ACL will improve that room too.
They added linebackers with Akeem Davis-Gaither and Mykal Walker.
They also brought back Evan Brown and Kelvin Beachum on the offensive line, in addition to adding Royce Newman and Jake Curhan.
But when it comes to the NFL draft and players selected in the first round, teams typically want those guys to make an impact in Year 1. Paris Johnson started from Day 1 in 2023 and so did Marvin Harrison Jr. last year. Defensive lineman Darius Robinson probably would have but missed most of the season with a calf injury.
With the 16th pick in the draft, if the Cardinals want a player to be able to make a significant impact as a rookie in 2025, there are really only three positions they can go.
- Offensive line
- Wide receiver
- Inside linebacker
The starting right guard job is uncertain. Isaiah Adams, a third-round pick last year, started the final five games. Newman has starting experience. But neither should be considered a lock.
If the Cardinals draft an offensive lineman in the first round, whether he is a tackle or a guard, he could easily slide in at right guard and start from Day 1.
At receiver, the Cardinals have Harrison, Michael Wilson and brought back Zay Jones after he only had eight receptions. Greg Dortch has been tendered as well. But if the Cardinals added a player like Matthew Golden out of Texas, Missouri's Luther Burden or Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka, they could be part of the top three wideouts in the rotation, without question.
If they draft a linebacker like Jihaad Campbell, he could immediate start, as Davis-Gaither and Walker have mostly been special teamers recently.
The Cardinals could definitely still draft a defensive lineman or a guy to play outside linebacker, but that will be a tough rotation to crack.
A defensive lineman would join a room that has four longtime starters in Campbell, Tomlinson, Jones and Nichols. Collier was the Cardinals' best interior defender last season. Robinson was a first-round pick last year.
A rookie wouldn't play much.
At outside linebacker, a rookie would work his way into the rotation with Sweat, Browning, Ojulari and Zaven Collins. We can't forget how much the coaches love Collins.
So when it comes to the draft, if the Cardinals want someone to play a lot in 2025, then pay attention to offensive linemen, receivers and off-ball linebackers.
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