The Arizona Cardinals have made some major improvements under head coach Jonathan Gannon and executive Monti Ossenfort, but it might be tough to sell fans on this regime's vision if they miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season. This makes the 2025 NFL Draft even more important.
Even after adding Josh Sweat in free agency, the defensive line needs one more impact player. The secondary remains an area of weakness for this team, and it is never a bad idea to draft a wide receiver and give Kyler Murray another impactful playmaker on the outside.
In the very competitive NFC West, the Cardinals might be one strong draft class away from sneaking back into the playoff picture. Arizona will need to follow the plan laid out in this 7-round NFL Mock Draft to both save Gannon and Ossenfort's jobs and get this roster to the postseason in an improved NFC.
Arizona Cardinals 7-round NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 16: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
2024 second-rounder Max Melton has potential, but fellow 2024 draftee Elijah Jones still hasn't played yet, and Budda Baker is getting long in the tooth. This secondary needs more big names, and Barron could be the type of player Gannon (a former defensive backs coach) has been eyeing for years.
Not only does Barron exhibit strong versatility that enables him to play both inside and outside, but his five interceptions last season suggest he could be elite when it comes to creating turnovers. Barron has a very high floor, and Arizona is still at a point where they need as many high-floor players as possible.
Round 2, Pick 47: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
While the former 5-star recruit has experience at tackle, Jackson has established himself as one of the best guards in this class during the pre-draft process. Both Cardinals guard spots weren't exactly filled by Randall McDaniel and John Hannah last season, which could lead to a player like Jackson being prioritized.
Jackson's power is tremendous, and his lower body strength has helped him become a high-end pass-protecting guard. When linked back up with former Buckeyes teammate Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle, Murray may need to send a thank-you card to the city of Columbus for keeping him safe.
Round 3, Pick 79: TJ Sanders, DT, South Carolina
Even though Sanders isn't going to clock in at 300 pounds, he has consistently stood out when compared to his 2025 classmates thanks to a deep pass rush toolbox and tremendous quickness off the snap. Imagine Sanders coming to Arizona and getting mentored by a Hall of Fame veteran like Calais Campbell.
Round 4, Pick 115: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Bond's pending sexual assault case and brutal pre-draft process will contribute to a slide on Draft Day. However, there will be at least one team that wants to take a chance on him if he falls, and he does have enough speed and production to warrant some interest on Day 3.
Round 5, Pick 152: Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon
Muhammad would have gone much higher in the draft if he weren't 5-9 and 185 pounds. Despite his limitations, Muhammad is as aggressive as they come in man coverage and shows surprising competency as a tackler. The Washington transfer could be a special teams ace and quality dime cornerback.
Round 7, Pick 225: Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan
Hinton isn't the best athlete in the world at right tackle, but he does have an impressive 6-7 frame with the power needed to be a competent pro run blocker. Hinton should serve as nice developmental depth for Arizona with room to grow.