One other season got here and went gone, and as soon as once more, the Arizona Cardinals discovered themselves on the surface wanting in in terms of the playoffs. Certain, Kyler Murray stays the face of the franchise. Nonetheless, the supporting forged round him nonetheless requires important upgrades if Arizona hopes to compete within the extremely aggressive NFC. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has a transparent plan, however execution is essential. As well as, the 2025 NFL Draft offers a chief alternative to speed up the workforce’s rebuilding course of. Using Professional Soccer Focus’ (PFF) simulator, we carried out a full seven-round mock draft to discover how the Cardinals can profit from their picks and take a step nearer to rivalry.
Cardinals’ Free Company Recap and Draft Wants
The Cardinals wasted no time addressing a significant roster gap by securing edge rusher Josh Sweat. They reunited him along with his former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Sweat’s presence considerably strengthens a go rush that has struggled in every of Gannon’s first two seasons on the helm. Retaining Baron Browning additional bolsters the entrance seven. Nonetheless, Arizona nonetheless has work to do. The Cardinals nonetheless want reinforcements at a number of key positions, significantly on the offensive line, at vast receiver, and within the secondary. Including one other reliable operating again to assist James Conner would even be a sensible transfer. With these wants in thoughts, let’s take a better have a look at how Arizona can enhance via the draft.
Right here we’ll strive to have a look at the Arizona Cardinals 7-round post-free company 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFF simulator.
Spherical 1, Choose 16: Mike Inexperienced, EDGE, Marshall
Inexperienced might have simply two seasons of beginning expertise in opposition to lesser competitors. Nonetheless, he dominated in the best way you’d count on from a future NFL standout. His elite pass-rush and run-defense grades make him a high-upside choice. Inexperienced possesses top-50 expertise and initiatives as a starting-caliber exterior linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He’s a relentless go rusher with the vitality and method to translate his faculty success to the following degree. His pure instincts, fluid hips, and various arsenal of strikes permit him to win with each energy and finesse. Inexperienced brings a bodily edge to his recreation. He can assault blockers with aggression in each pass-rushing and run-defending conditions.
Spherical 2, Choose 47: Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi
Arizona’s protection confirmed enchancment final season. That stated, the secondary stays a weak spot. Trey Amos is an extended and bodily cornerback from Mississippi. He might assist solidify the unit. Standing at 6’1, Amos excels in press protection and has the fluidity to stick with high receivers. Sure, his explosiveness and straight-line pace aren’t elite. Nonetheless, his 2024 tape demonstrates that he has a excessive flooring as a CB2 with CB1 potential. His mix of dimension, motion abilities, and talent to thrive in a number of protection schemes makes him a priceless addition to the Cardinals’ secondary.
Spherical 3, Choose 78: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas
Arizona continues to bolster its defensive position with the addition of Vernon Broughton. The Texas product is a disruptive pressure within the trenches. He can use his mixture of energy and agility to shed blocks and disrupt performs within the backfield. Certain, he must refine his hand utilization and method to grow to be a more practical one-on-one defender. Nonetheless, his size and energy present positional versatility. His finest match within the NFL initiatives as a 3-4 defensive finish. That is the place he can make the most of his dimension and energy to regulate the road of scrimmage.
Spherical 4, Choose 115: Harold Fannin Jr, TE, Bowling Inexperienced
Associated Arizona Cardinals InformationArticle continues under
With Trey McBride rising as a dependable possibility, the Cardinals might use one other athletic tight finish to enrich him. Harold Fannin Jr gives intriguing receiving skill and excels in gaining yards after the catch. Sure, his blocking is stable sufficient to operate as an inline TE2 or occasional wingback. That stated, his actual worth lies in his skill to create performs in a good end-focused passing recreation. His athleticism and playmaking skill would add one other dimension to Arizona’s offense.
Spherical 5, Choose 152: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
James Conner has been a workhorse for Arizona. Nonetheless, sturdiness issues make it important so as to add depth within the backfield. Jarquez Hunter offers recent legs and a dynamic playmaking presence. The Auburn operating again is a tricky, bodily runner with sharp imaginative and prescient and the power to interrupt tackles on the second degree. Regardless of his smaller stature, Hunter performs with spectacular toughness and intelligence. Certain, his lack of best dimension might restrict his long-term ceiling. Nonetheless, his reliability and well-rounded talent set make him an asset for any NFL teaching workers.
Spherical 7, Choose 225: Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota
Kyler Murray stays Arizona’s franchise quarterback. Jacoby Brissett must be QB2. Nonetheless, including one other reliable backup is all the time a wise transfer. Max Brosmer might not have the best dimension or elite arm energy, however he makes up for it with fast determination. He additionally has a robust soccer IQ. His mobility and poise below stress make him a compelling late-round developmental possibility who might present priceless depth behind Murray.
Closing Ideas
The Cardinals enter the 2025 NFL Draft with a transparent must preserve enhancing their roster, and this mock draft lays out a blueprint for addressing their key weaknesses. With the picks of Mike Inexperienced and Trey Amos, Arizona strengthens each its go rush and secondary, two areas which have hindered the workforce’s defensive progress. Vernon Broughton provides wanted depth to the defensive entrance, whereas Harold Fannin Jr. provides Kyler Murray one other weapon within the passing recreation. Jarquez Hunter offers a much-needed complement to James Conner within the backfield, and Max Brosmer gives a developmental quarterback prospect. Whereas no draft can remedy each difficulty, this seven-round haul can be a big step towards making the Cardinals a extra aggressive workforce within the NFC.