The "30" player visits are in the books, and we are now one week away from the NFL draft. It's becoming a bit more real, not only for the prospects, but for Jonathan Gannon and the front office. "It's an exciting time to be a Cardinal," the head coach said this week.
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 fifth of six versions, will feature opinions from NFL experts about their choices for the Cardinals at pick 16.
CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Jahdae Barron wasn't a player many projected the Cardinals to go after, but following a busy free agency period of upgrading the defensive front seven, cornerbacks mocked to the team have become more frequent. Barron's versatility is an attractive feature for a staff that values that trait. While at Texas, the three-year starter saw snaps at almost every position in the secondary. According to PFF, Barron did not allow a touchdown when in coverage throughout the 2024 season.
What some of the experts are saying:
"Garrett Williams was terrific at slot corner last season, but the Cardinals could use a boost on the outside. This team allowed 7.3 yards per pass attempt last season, which ranked in the league's bottom third. Barron is versatile, ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and picked off five passes last season." - Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates, ESPN
"Arizona's defensive successes last season were largely due to a fast-paced secondary. Imagine putting Barron in the same secondary as Budda Baker. If you thought Jonathan Gannon's secondary was diverse before ..." - Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team
"Jahdae Barron probably has similar versatility to Trent McDuffie in that he can play on the boundary or line up in the slot." - Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Others who have mocked Barron to the Cardinals: Nick Wright, Fox Sports; Marcus Mosher, The 33rd Team
CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Once the experts began crafting these mock drafts, and they listed Michigan's Will Johnson as an option for the Cardinals, it wasn't taken too seriously because of the team's needs along the defensive front. Post free agency and the desire to add a cornerback like Johnson, or the aforementioned Barron, has grown. He's arguably the best cornerback in the class, behind Travis Hunter, but saw his draft stock slide because of a turf toe injury. In six games played last season, he had two pick-sixes and was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist
What some of the experts are saying:
"Arizona's secondary is a relative strength, but head coach Jonathan Gannon might pound the table should a top-10 talent like Johnson fall to this point in the draft. Johnson's injuries at Michigan will give some teams pause, but 6-foot-2 cornerbacks with his instincts and ball skills usually become stars in the NFL." - Rob Rang, Fox Sports
"Arizona needs players all over its defense, but there's no way it'll pass up the chance to land the top (non–Travis Hunter) cornerback in the draft here. Johnson had an up-and-down 2024 (as did the entire Michigan team) but was considered an elite cornerback prospect entering the season. It's hard to find potential shutdown outside cornerbacks." - Danny Heifetz, The Ringer
Others who have mocked Johnson to the Cardinals: Connor Rogers, NBC Sports; Steve Serby, New York Post; Jordan Plocher, PFF
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
When asked about drafting a player after heavily investing in the unit throughout free agency, Monti Ossenfort said even if that player is not needed come Week 1, there will be a time their number is called. The Cardinals have added players like Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson to the defensive line room, however, the room caught a bad injury bug in the past two seasons. Adding a piece like Kenneth Grant, a big bodied defensive tackle with the ability to stop the run, can help in the long run. Having mentors like Campbell and Tomlinson would be instrumental in a young player's development.
What some of the experts are saying:
"A fit in Jonathan Gannon's system, Grant could offer higher upside than Michigan teammate Mason Graham, who came off the board 11 picks earlier in this exercise. The recently signed Calais Campbell would be an excellent role model for Grant in the Valley." - Rhett Lewis, NFL.com
"Jonathan Gannon was the Eagles' defensive coordinator in 2022, when Philadelphia invested the No. 13 overall pick in similarly freakish nose tackle prospect Jordan Davis. Now entering his third season as HC in Arizona, Gannon could push for Grant, a 6-foot-4, 331-pound force with rare explosiveness and power who can immediately anchor the Cardinals' defensive interior." - Mike Band, NFL.com
WR Matthew Golden, Texas
It took all of 4.29 seconds for Matthew Golden's draft stock to skyrocket after an impressive scouting combine. While the Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first round last year, some analysts have them going back-to-back at the position with Golden. Jonathan Gannon is very clear in what he wants from a wide receiver. He wants a player who can get open and catch the ball. On slant routes and shots downfield, that's exactly what Golden can do. The Texas wide receiver finished the 2024 season with 987 yards and nine touchdowns on 58 receptions.
What some of the experts are saying:
"Quarterback Kyler Murray would benefit from a No. 3 wide receiver, one who could slot in alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Golden, who ran a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the combine, led Texas in receiving yards last season." - Ben Arthur, Fox Sports
"The Cardinals could use a true 'Z' to pop the top off the defense and create space underneath. Not that Golden's strictly a vertical speed merchant. In fact, his 4.29 40 at the combine pleasantly caught everyone by surprise. But the three-level threat clearly has the juice to complement the existing pass catchers in Arizona, giving the Cards an alluring young receiving corps." - Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
If someone googled 'what do you want your edge rusher to look like?' a photo of Mykel Williams would pop up. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he has the frame and motor that could suit him well in the NFL. It's no secret that Kirby Smart has been able to produce some really quality defensive front seven players at Georgia, and Williams is on that list. He's a player that has the ability to stick their hand in the dirt and battle with guards, while also having the skills to line on the edge and rush by offensive tackles.
"When you grade to the flashes, Williams is as impressive as any other defensive player in the class. Still just 20, he was hampered by a nagging ankle injury in 2024 but still looked like an All-SEC player on multiple tapes." - Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Other players mocked to the Cardinals:
OL Josh Simmons (Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports)
OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report)
OG Tyler Booker (Adam Rank, NFL.com)
EDGE Mike Green (Garrett Podell, CBS Sports)
DT Derrick Harmon (Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports)
LB Jihaad Campbell (Nate Davis, USA Today)
