The Arizona Cardinals defensive line has been one of the most improved units in the entire NFL this offseason. They've replaced nearly every starter through free agency and the draft. The complete overhaul has Arizona's front looking stronger than it has been in years.
Still, one analyst has them a few steps behind the best groups in the league.
PFF ranks Cardinals defensive line in the bottom half of the league
In a recent article, PFF analyst Zoltán Buday ranked all 32 NFL defensive lines. The Arizona Cardinals fell in the 20th spot.
At first glance, this seems like the disrespect alarms should be blaring. How can a unit that added five starting-caliber players rank in the bottom half of the league? Buday even says, "The Cardinals' defensive line might be the most improved unit over the past eight months — including the mid-season acquisition of edge defender Baron Browning."
But it's important to remember the starting point from which Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort was working this offseason. Heading into 2024, the Cardinals had one of the least talented defensive fronts in the NFL. They lacked a star pass rusher, and their interior struggled to hold up against strong rushing attacks. In key games, this unit was often overpowered.
Even after the addition of Baron Browning, Arizona's front was in need of major retooling. In PFF's defensive line rankings after the 2024 season, the Cardinals ranked 28th.
Instead of scoffing at a relatively low ranking, let's take this jump as evidence that one of the most important units on the roster has improved dramatically this offseason.
Josh Sweat, Jordan Burch, and Baron Browning should bring more juice to an edge group that struggled heavily last season. Add in a healthy B.J. Ojulari and another year of Zaven Collins, and Arizona has more edge depth than most NFL teams.
But the Cardinals made the biggest improvement on the interior. Veterans like Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell will give the unit more stability and a stronger presence against the run. Rookie Walter Nolen has the explosiveness to become a true game-changer, blowing up plays in the backfield like Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter.
As Buday mentions in his article, "The Cardinals ranked only 26th in the NFL in pressure rate without blitzing last season (28.0%), but that should improve in 2025 with the new pieces along the defensive line." The Cardinals are showing improvement, and that's all we can ask for.