Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort had 12 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the most by an NFL team since 1992. This year, the Cardinals' six selections will slice that total in half, the least amount of picks since Ossenfort took over in 2023. Their first pick is slotted at No. 16. Arizona addressed some of their needs during free agency, but the identity Jonathan Gannon and Ossenfort have built resembles a draft-and-develop team.
Primer Schedule: Running back April 16; Tight end April 17; Safety April 18; Outside linebacker April 19
Draft primer: Defensive line
Players under contract: Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Darius Robinson, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills, Ben Stille, P.J. Mustipher, Anthony Goodlow
The Cardinals' situation: Oh, how much changed in just a few months. When the Cardinals' season ended, bolstering the defensive line was their top offseason need. Fast forward to present day and the room looks much different, just days before Roger Goodell walks across the stage to announce the Cardinals' selection. The ageless wonder, Calais Campbell, returns to the Valley after back-to-back seasons starting every game. Dalvin Tomlinson, one of the Cardinals' biggest moves of the offseason, adds some beef to the line. Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, and Darius Robinson return to the rotation after dealing with injuries throughout the season.
The draft class: This group of prospects is loaded with talent, and throughout the draft season, the Cardinals have been mocked to select a handful of different defensive lineman. Kenneth Grant, the defensive tackle from Michigan, has been the player mocked most to the Cardinals. The 6-foot-4, 331 pound nose tackle would help the Cardinals run defense, as would Ole Miss' Walter Nolen and Oregon's Derrick Harmon.
The conclusion: A good chunk of the reported players the Cardinals have hosted for Top-30 visits are defensive front seven players. Even with Campbell, Tomlinson, and outside linebacker Josh Sweat coming off the edge, the Cardinals will look at adding to the room during the draft.
A look at some of the top defensive linemen entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) reacts after a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates sacking Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch (12) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) looks on during the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander of Toledo (9) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (55) celebrates a stop against North Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Michigan running back Kalel Mullings (20) fends off Indiana defensive lineman CJ West (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker (0) in action during an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 19 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Kentucky 48-20. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Furman quarterback Tyler Huff (6) is pressured by South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (90) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
