The Arizona Cardinals' defensive line honestly wasn’t that bad in 2025, as they were able to get pressures and force opposing quarterbacks to maneuver around the pocket with precision and often get them to roll out.
This was the inaugural season of Josh Sweat, who signed a four-year, $76 million contract with them in the offseason leading up to 2025. Arizona also used one of its draft picks on Walter Nolen III.
Unfortunately for Nolen, he sustained a fair number of injuries in his rookie season that all started with a calf injury, which caused him to miss the team’s first seven games. He then appeared in four games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.
Despite the injury history, Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has all the confidence in the world in Nolen, saying that his potential in the middle of the defensive line could be a huge reason why this unit leaps in 2026.
"I knew he was going to be the talent that we saw on tape, but I would say he's very coachable, great to work with." — Nick Rallis
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The Cardinals also hold on to veteran defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, as well as a younger edge rusher who looks to get the ball rolling in B.J. Ojulari.
All we’re saying is, if the Cardinals' defense can play half decent football and at least limit the damage from the opposing team’s offense, there is a real shot that this team can win eight or so games. With an offensive as talented as it is, coupled with the fact that this defense will be playing under the same defensive coordinator in Nick Rallis, who’s to say this team is going to be bad?half-decent,offense
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