In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals had two first-round picks. For a lot of the leadup to the draft, it was expected that Arizona would select wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Arizona did take Harrison. Then they followed it up with defensive lineman Darius Robinson later in the first round. The Cardinals were a big rebuilding project for general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon. Heading into their third draft, sources with Arizona say they are more likely to target the trenches in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
In the first draft under Ossenfort and Gannon, they took left tackle Paris Johnson Jr before adding Harrison and Robinson a year later. Thus, they have addressed the trenches but feel they could stand to do more. Right tackle Jonah Williams got a big contract as a free agent from Cincinnati, but he has struggled to stay healthy. However, there is a good chance that both first-round offensive tackles Kelvin Banks and Will Campbell will be off the board. Sources were skeptical that Arizona would value a guard like Alabama’s Tyler Booker in the top 20.
The Cardinals could have some excellent defensive line options available at pick 16 in the 2025 NFL Draft. There could be good defensive tackle options like Michigan’s tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. There could be talented edge rush prospects like Geogia’s Mykel Williams, Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, and Georgia outside linebacker Jalon Walker.
Sources say the other position they would consider in the first round is cornerback. Perhaps Michigan’s Will Johnson slides outside the top 10, but aside from him, there are other cornerback prospects to consider, including Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston, Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas, and Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison. In my latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, I have Arizona taking a cornerback. Thus, the Cardinals could go with the best player available on the defensive line, offensive line, and cornerback.
