The Arizona Cardinals made some improvements last season, but head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort need to knock it out of the park in the 2025 NFL Draft if they want to avoid getting buried by an NFC West that has taken some major steps forward.
Even after investing heavily in the defense in the offseason, Arizona needs one more star on the defensive line before they can call themselves an elite unit on that side of the ball. Kyler Murray could use extra protection on the offensive line, as well as another receiver to throw to on third down.
The Cardinals are building something promising, but their house of cards could start tumbling down with another bad Ossenfort draft. The plan laid out in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft is proactive enough to address their needs while still finding great overall value.
Arizona Cardinals 3-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 16: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Cardinals may have 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson in town, and Josh Sweat just got a huge contract, but this defensive line could go from good to great if they draft Williams and kick Robinson inside full-time. Williams has earned high marks in this class, establishing himself as the best run-stuffing edge among the group.
Williams reportedly played his final college season with some nagging injuries. Even with those ailments, the Arizona target emerged as a low-floor option who could start right away for a defense that has their ends stick their hand in the dirt on a majority of their snaps.
Round 2, Pick 47: Jared Wilson, IOL, Georgia
Wilson may not have much starting experience, but Arizona will not be faulted for one second if they pick him due to his tremendous athletic testing at the NFL Combine. His mobility skills, particularly as a run-blocker, will be a welcome addition to the mix for a run-heavy Drew Petzig offense with the mobile Murray at quarterback.
Arizona's whole Murray-based offense will collapse if the diminutive quarterback is pressured up the middle. Wilson's ceiling may be the highest of any Day 2 lineman in this class, which could end up convincing Ossenfort to put him in place as the starter relatively soon.
Round 3, Pick 78: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Michael Wilson is a solid NFL player, but the Cardinals would be doing Murray and the offense a disservice if they handed him the WR2 job behind Marvin Harrison Jr. with no competition. Royals could be a great fit for this offense, especially if his yards-after-catch skill translates to the NFL.
Royals doesn't have the most diverse route tree in the world, which could make for a rude awakening in the pros. Should Petzig and the offense continue to work with him his combin ation of playmaking and solid contested catch skills will flourish with Murray at the sticks.