For the third consecutive draft, the Cardinals selected an Ohio State Buckeye.
Cody Simon's time in Columbus overlapped with the Cardinals 2023 and 2024 first-rounders, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. They'll join forces again after the inside linebacker was selected with the 115th pick in the fourth round.
"I talked to Marv when he came to the (Ohio State) pro day," Simon said. "I'm just so excited to be with some Buckeyes and with some guys I'm familiar with. It's an awesome opportunity."
Simon was the starting Mike linebacker for the Buckeyes during their run to the National Championship and was named the defensive MVP in the title win over Notre Dame. He finished the 2024 season as the team leader with 112 tackles, to go along with 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
He said the recipe for getting to the quarterback stems from "being aggressive, fast, and violent" -- a statement that'll certainly put a smile on the face of the staff.
"He really had a chance to run the show for them," assistant general manager Dave Sears said. "When you have command of an elite defense like that, it says something about your character, your knowledge, because they're not going to look to just anybody."
The Cardinals added inside linebackers Akeem Davis-Gaither and Mykal Walker during free agency, hoping to add some pieces in place of the departing Kyzir White. Simon is the next candidate to compete at the Mike spot.
"As a linebacker, you need to have great instincts, and I think that's my biggest strength," Simon said. "And being a great leader and communication is vital for a good defense."
With some Buckeyes in the locker room, Simon flips the page and starts his NFL journey with the Cardinals. His relationship with the staff kicked off at the combine as linebackers coach Cristian Garcia held some drills. The conversations continued over Zoom throughout the draft season.
That connection with his new team only increased when fellow linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. announced the selection live from Sonora, Mexico.
"I even watched him when I was growing up in high school," Simon said. "It's pretty cool. It's a dream come true to be able to be a part of a great defense and great players.
CB DENZEL BURKE, OHIO STATE (Rd 5, 174 overall)
Growing up in the Valley, Denzel Burke has long been a Cardinals fan. He can recall watching games from the nosebleeds at State Farm Stadium. He can now call the venue his new home after being selected in the fifth round.
"It was something I always wanted to do," Burke said. "Especially since (the Cardinals) showed interest for me from the whole pre-draft process. I just felt it was home."
It'll also feel like college as well. After spending the last four seasons at Ohio State, he'll reunite with Marvin Harrison Jr., Paris Johnson Jr., and Cody Simon, the Cardinals fourth-rounder. Burke has also trained with fellow Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V for the past couple of seasons.
Burke started every game during his tenure in Columbus. In 51 games, Burke had 31 pass breakups and four interceptions. He becomes the second cornerback drafted by general manager Monti Ossenfort this year, after Michigan corner Will Johnson in the second round.
One of Burke's traits that Ossenfort appreciated didn't take place on game days.
"I think another added benefit is the competition that those guys practice against every day," Ossenfort said. "Nobody has had a tougher assignment in practice the last four year than Denzel Burke, I mean, holy smokes."
Since 2021, Burkes has lined up against Ohio State first-rounders like Harrison, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, and future NFL wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
With 11 other corners on the roster, Burke said he's ready for the competition.
"I know what it takes to be a complete football player," Burke said. "I'm chasing to be one of the best corners to ever step foot in the league."
OL HAYDEN CONNER, TEXAS (Rd 6, 211 overall)
After selecting five consecutive defensive players, the Cardinals shift their focus to the offensive line, adding Hayden Conner. Conner was a three-year starter for Texas. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound left guard did not allow a sack in 2024 and was a key piece in the Longhorns' dominant rushing attack.
While guard is where he has seen the most snaps, Conner described himself as a talent who could play every position on the line. He'll likely play on the interior, especially since the Cardinals have depth at tackle after using a fifth-round selection on Conner's college teammate, Christian Jones, last year.
"I take a lot of passion in my greatest strength, which is my football I.Q.," Conner said. "I prepare like no else."
The selection also takes place on Conner's 23rd birthday and he admitted "it's going to be hard to beat."
S KITAN CRAWFORD, NEVADA (Rd 7, 225 overall)
The Cardinals return to the defensive side of the ball, using their final selection on safety Kitan Crawford. He transferred to Nevada after four seasons with the Texas Longhorns. In 2024, Crawford had 76 tackles, seven pass deflections, and a pair of interceptions.
While the move to Nevada was to earn more snaps at safety, special teams is where Crawford created a reputation for himself. He played over 1,000 career special teams snaps.
"It comes from my heart," Crawford said. "I take pride in special teams, and I love special teams. I adopted this mindset that it's only one play, so why not go 100 percent?"
Crawford now joins a safety room anchored by Budda Baker. The Cardinals captain is somebody Crawford admired. He's also cousins with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
"My phone has been blowing up like crazy," Crawford said. "He'll probably be reaching out pretty soon."
