The NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. Players have started to receive invitations to visit team's facilities, and pro days are just around the corner. That could only mean one thing, right? It means mock draft season is officially upon us.
After finishing 2024 with an 8-9 record, the Cardinals hold the 16th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. It'll mark the fourth time the organization has picked at the slot. Last season, the Cardinals held the fourth pick, so picking in the middle of the draft is a bit different for Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort.
This mock draft tracker, the first of six versions, will feature opinions from NFL experts about their choices for the Cardinals at pick 16.
EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
Some people may have heard about Mike Green while he was dominating the Sun Belt Conference, finishing 2024 as the FBS sack leader with 17. After Green bulldozed Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. on a rep at the Senior Bowl, everybody learned what the Marshall product could bring to the table. Green arguably has the quickest first step in a loaded edge rusher draft class.
What some of the experts are saying:
"No one in this class may have a better first step than Green. A healthy BJ Ojulari and Green would go quite a long way in putting more explosiveness onto the edge." - Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team
"He's a freak athlete whose explosiveness helped him dominate the Sun Belt, but he also has a deep technical arsenal to shed blocks and generate penetration into opponents' backfields." - Jacob Infante, Pro Football Network
LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Jalon Walker is a fascinating prospect because of his versatility, a trait the Cardinals staff has notoriously valued in young players. Walker was used in multiple ways at Georgia. Similar to how the Cardinals use Mack Wilson Sr., Walker is a linebacker that could drop into coverage while also possessing an impressive burst off the edge. He was the Bulldogs' leader with 6.5 sacks and won the Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker in the nation. Some analysts have compared him to Haason Reddick and Micah Parsons.
What some of the experts are saying:
"Jalon Walker is listed as an off-ball linebacker but can line up anywhere ... and wreak havoc from anywhere." - Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
"One of my favorite players of this draft class, Walker is a dynamic player who doesn't have a perfect fit, but he just does stuff. Getting him on a Cardinals defense that just does stuff is a fit that gets me really excited." - Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Kenneth Grant has been mocked to the Cardinals as much as any other player in the 2025 draft class. The 6-foot-4, 331 pound nose tackle takes up a lot of space along the defensive line. Due to his size, Grant was one of the best in the country at stopping opposing rushing attacks. Put Grant next to Darius Robinson and the Cardinals defensive line would look pretty scary ... and big.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The Cardinals need to get defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon a linchpin for the interior to help stuff the run and also blow up some quarterbacks. Grant is not a big dropoff from his former Wolverines teammate Mason Graham." - Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
"Grant would immediately assist against the run, and he has enormous upside as a pass rusher. The hope is he eventually develops into an impact defender in the mold of Dexter Lawrence." - Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
Others who have mocked Grant to the Cardinals: Jordan Reid, ESPN; Joseph Acosta, SB Nation; Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Confidence is a trait that can't be highlighted on the stat sheet but could be felt from the get-go. Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen certainly has that trait. At the combine, Nolen said he "wholeheartedly believes" he's the next Aaron Donald. If that prediction could be turned into a fact, all 32 teams would opt to draft Nolen. He's an interior defensive lineman that can win solely based on his strength. He finished 2024 with 6.5 sacks and 48 tackles.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The Cardinals have a lot of free agents on their defensive front. Nolen's athleticism and explosiveness make him an intriguing three-technique defensive tackle." - Tyler Dragon, USA Today
"The team's need for a disruptor at the point of attack makes Nolen a sensible selection. The Ole Miss standout is a high-energy playmaker with a relentless approach." - Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
Before the college football season kicked off, Mykel Williams was expected to hear his name called within the first five picks. While he might not get selected that early, the 6-foot-5 edge rusher out of Georgia won't have to wait much longer. Despite missing a few games due to injury, Williams capped off his senior season with five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. Lance Zeirlein of NFL.com said Williams needs more reps but has a lot of upside.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Georgia product should reinforce his unrealized potential during testing, with all the physical traits in place to become a prolific sack artist." - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
"Williams is a twitchy, explosive athlete whose best football is still ahead of him." - Josh Liskiewitz, PFF
CB Will Johnson, Michigan
At first glance, it was surprising to see Will Johnson mocked to the Cardinals. Behind Travis Hunter, Johnson has widely been touted as the next best cornerback in the draft class. But the draft is unpredictable, especially as it gets further down the board. Some mock drafts have Johnson projected to go as high as No. 5 to the Jaguars while others have the Michigan cornerback sliding to the 20s. After drafting two corners on Day Two of the draft last year, Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema has the Cardinals adding another player to the room.
"Johnson's draft range is anywhere from the fringe top 10 to the end of the top 20. He might not have the recovery speed to dominate in man coverage, but he has great instincts and downhill stop-and-start agility to be an impact off-zone defender." - Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus
