We're less than one month away from the NFL Draft, but who is counting? Actually, many people in the Cardinals' facility are. After addressing the defensive front seven, pairing players like Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson with returning players like Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Baron Browning, and Darius Robinson, the Cardinals have the ability to reinforce the unit or go best player available.
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 third of six versions, will feature opinions from NFL experts about their choices for the Cardinals at pick 16.
LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Now that the initial wave(s) of free agency has settled, inside linebacker Kyzir White's return to the Cardinals is looking unlikely. Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither was signed, but doesn't have tons of defensive experience. If the Cardinals decide to look at adding to the room, Jihaad Campbell is the best off-ball linebacker in the draft class. He does have that versatility skillset that Ossenfort values since he drops back in coverage, possess that downhill speed a team would desire from a linebacker, and showed an ability to come off the edge as a pass rusher. However, an area of concern is the shoulder surgery he had following the combine.
What some of the experts are saying:
"Jihaad Campbell has an easy path to the starting lineup in Arizona. He will fulfill the off-ball linebacker role, but his skillset allows the Cardinals to bring pressure from a variety of angles." - Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
"Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon still have plenty of reason to be drawn to Campbell, an ascendant talent who would electrify the pass rush early while honing his instincts as an off-ball linebacker." - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Others who have mocked Campbell to the Cardinals: Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team; Ben Standig, The Athletic
DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Walter Nolen was a game-wrecker throughout his time in the SEC, earning first-team All-SEC honors this past season. After Mason Graham, the overwhelming favorite for best defensive tackle in the draft class, Nolen is in the conversation with Kenneth Grant for next on the list. His speed and power allows Nolen to create problems for an opposing offensive line. Nolen played all along the defensive line at Ole Miss, primarily as a three-technique defensive tackle, a similar role that Dante Stills had played with the Cardinals.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The high-energy interior defender fits the Cardinals' defensive culture as a worker bee at the point of attack." - Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
"I've been pounding the table for Walter Nolen throughout this entire process, and will continue to do so. He's my DT2 in the class behind Graham, and he's my No. 9 overall player, so the Cardinals getting him here is a great pick in my eyes." - Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports
CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
In mock draft tracker 2.0 and 1.0, cornerback Will Johnson was projected to the Cardinals. Connor Rogers of NBC Sports still makes the case for Johnson. But Jahdae Barron is a new cornerback that experts are projecting the Cardinals select. He's a defensive back that has a nose for the football with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2024. Also, he isn't afraid to take down a player, recording 67 tackles in 16 games. According to PFF, Barron did not allow a touchdown when playing in coverage this past year. The Athletic's Dane Brugler said Barron "plays with supreme confidence and physicality without crossing the line, especially in zone coverage." According to TruMedia, the Cardinals played 440 defensive snaps in zone coverage last season. That was tied with the 16th most in the NFL in 2024.
What some of the experts are saying:
"He is a do-it-all defensive player who can help in the slot or at safety. Those players tend to fall a bit in the draft (think Brian Branch), but Barron lands with the Cardinals at No. 16 as they continue to rebuild their secondary." - Marcus Mosher, The 33rd Team
"It wouldn't be a Cardinals draft if they weren't adding an excellent athlete with some clear limitations on defense. Jahdae Barron is one of my favorite players to watch in this class because of his aggression—he's always looking to get hands on anybody within his reach." - Diante Lee, The Ringer
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Similar to the aforementioned Nolen, Kenneth Grant has been mocked to the Cardinals plenty of times throughout the offseason. It all starts with stopping the run, and Grant's presence in the trenches certainly would help the Cardinals in the area. The mix of power and quickness of his first step allows him to step up in the run game while also showcasing the ability to cause disruption in the backfield. Grant is another player with the ability to play nose tackle or slide over to a three-technique defensive tackle.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The Cardinals added to their defense in free agency by getting guys like Josh Sweat, but now they can get a power inside player in Grant. Dalvin Tomlinson was signed as a defensive tackle in free agency, but he's getting up in years." - Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
"Grant is still raw as a pass rusher, but his 6' 4", 331-pound frame is difficult to move in the run game. Laterally quick and capable of making plays in pursuit, Grant has an early role as a run-stuffing defensive tackle with the upside to be a three-down player." - Daniel Flick, Sports Illustrated
OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Considering the Cardinals' recent history of drafting Buckeyes in back-to-back first rounds, it's not a shock to see the institution's name in a mock draft. It also makes sense once Justin Frye's hiring is factored in. Donovan Jackson moved to left tackle after Josh Simmons (another player mocked to the Cardinals) suffered an injury. The Cardinals have experience evaluating this scenario. In his final season in college, injuries forced Isaiah Adams to play tackle, even though he was going to play guard in the NFL. Jackson will also be a guard once he reaches the NFL where his 6-foot-4, 320 pound frame will suit him best on the interior.
"More blocking stability in front of Kyler Murray and for James Conner and Trey Benson is needed in the desert. Jackson is an athletic guard with super-clean tape." - Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Other players mocked to the Cardinals:
WR Matthew Golden (Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN)
EDGE Mike Green (Josh Liskiewitz, PFF)
CB Will Johnson (Connor Rogers, NBC Sports)
DL Derrick Harmon (Hayden Winks, Underdog Network)
OL Josh Simmons (Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports)
OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (via trading up w/MIA - Chad Reuter, NFL.com)
EDGE Nic Scourton (Rob Rang, Fox Sports)
EDGE James Pearce Jr. (Mike Band, NFL.com)
