Another pass rusher to Arizona Cardinals in new mock draft
The Arizona Cardinals signed Josh Sweat to a four-year deal in free agency to improve their pass rush. However, that doesn't mean they will not consider the position in the NFL draft. Considering the price of top veteran pass rushers, it would be wise for the Cardinals to add production on a rookie contract.
That's why NFL.com's Mike Band has the Cardinals going with a pass rusher with the 16th pick of the 2025 NFL in his new mock draft.
He has the Cardinals taking Tennessee edge defender James Pearce Jr.
Arizona signed Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract in free agency and brought back Baron Browning on a two-year deal, but we should not assume head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort are done adding pieces to the pass rush. The Cardinals have listed Sweat and Browning as linebackers on their official roster, an indication they covet scheme-flexible edge defenders who can stand up or put a hand in the dirt. Pearce, who displayed relentless pursuit at Tennessee, perfectly fits that mold, bringing the burst Gannon seems to look for off the edge. Should Arizona pivot to the interior, Michigan's Kenneth Grant and Oregon's Derrick Harmon would presumably be on the short list as scheme fits.
Per Band, the odds the Cardinals take a defensive lineman or edge defender is 34%, while they are 25% for an offensive lineman 16% for a cornerback and 10% for a linebacker.
What we know in two drafts for the Cardinals under Ossenfort is that he likes players from well known programs and that he will go with premium value at premium picks.
The NFL draft begins April 24 in Green Bay.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals likely to take defensive lineman
-
7-round mock draft fills many needs for Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals land an O-lineman, pass rusher and D-lineman with their first 3 picks.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Post-free agency mock draft has Arizona Cardinals selecting WR
The Cardinals do not go with a defensive player in this post-free agency first-round mock draftYahoo Sports - 5d -
7-round post-free agency mock draft has Arizona Cardinals going defense early
Check out the 7-round projections from Pro Football Network for the Arizona Cardinals in a new post-free agency mock draft.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
CBS Sports' mock draft has Cardinals taking O-lineman
CBS Sports' new mock draft has the Cardinals going with a lineman who could play guard or tackle as a rookie.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
7-round Arizona Cardinals mock draft after 1 week of NFL free agency
With the first week of free agency in the books, check out this seven-round mock draft simulation for the Cardinals.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Mock draft reactions, 2 new signings and positional needs for the Arizona Cardinals
Jess Root and Seth Cox talk about the Cardinals' last moves in free agency, two big mock drafts and more on the podcast.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Detroit Lions' NFL draft: 'Polarizing' Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. could fit
James Pearce Jr., a two-time all-SEC selection, had 19.5 sacks in his three-year career but has fallen out of the first round in some mock draftsYahoo Sports - 1d -
Jaguars trade back, give passing game a boost in 2025 NFL mock draft
In a 2025 NFL mock draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded back in the first round and bolstered the passing game in the process.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
NFL draft prospects with 1st-round grade to know for Arizona Cardinals
Draft Wire's Curt Popejoy says only 22 players have a first-round draft this year. We break down who will be possibilities for the Cardinals.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
No March Madness here: No. 1 seed Florida rolls past Norfolk State 95-69 for 7th straight win
First-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr. scored 23 points and Florida defeated Norfolk State 95-69 on Friday, ensuring all four No. 1 seeds made it out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament ...Yahoo Sports - 2h -
Jiri Prochazka open to facing winner of Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg at UFC London
Jiri Prochazka will have his eyes peeled for the UFC Fight Night 255 co-main event. Jan Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) meets rising contender Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in a pivotal ...Yahoo Sports - 6h -
QB Aaron Rodgers leaves Pittsburgh without a contract
Aaron Rodgers left Pittsburgh without a contract in place.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Golden Knights' Pavel Dorofeyev Records A Hat Trick As He Hits The 30-Goal Mark
The Vegas Golden Knights ran the Boston Bruins out of T-Mobile Arena last night, and it was headlined by Russian forward Pavel Dorofeyev.Yahoo Sports - 10h
More in Sports
-
Women's NCAA tournament: Live updates, scores and takeaways
nullESPN - 31m -
2025 Women's March Madness schedule, scores: Games, dates, locations, tip times, TV channels, bracket
The Big Dance is officially upon us as the women are taking the courts all across the countryCBS Sports - 42m -
March Madness 2025 scores, winners and losers: Kentucky, Florida get redemption; ACC makes (bad) history
Kentucky and Florida were among several teams that earned NCAA Tournament redemption FridayCBS Sports - 45m -
NCAA bracket 2025: Printable March Madness bracket, NCAA Tournament predictions, picks, scores, dates, upsets
The 2025 NCAA Tournament is underway so get your printable March Madness bracket hereCBS Sports - 46m -
2025 WWE WrestleMania 41 card, date, matches, rumors, predictions, match card, start time, location
WrestleMania takes place in Las Vegas on April 19 and 20CBS Sports - 48m