The 2025 NFL Draft is officially over. As always, the draft brought shocking trades, surprise selections, and intriguing fits.
The Arizona Cardinals aced free agency, allowing themselves the ultimate flexiility to select the best players on their board in the draft. But which picks were smash hits? Which picks fell short?
The Raising Zona team has graded each and every draft pick the Arizona Cardinals made over the weekend.
Grading every 2025 draft pick the Arizona Cardinals made
Round 1, pick 16: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss DT
I absolutely love this pick. Walter Nolen is the Jalen-Carter-like force this Arizona defensive front was missing. His ability to completely blow up plays in the backfield is unlike anything the Cardinals have had in recent years.
As far as character concerns go, I have no doubt that Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson are the perfect mentors for Nolen.
Maybe I'm riding the hype a bit too far, but I'm calling my shot: Walter Nolen will win Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Grade: A+
- Michael Haney
Round 2, pick 47: Will Johnson, Michigan CB
Will Johnson brings some excitement—and trepidation—to the Cardinals defense. A big cornerback who can adapt quickly to plays, I want to like Johnson more, but reports of a knee injury (and previous shoulder and foot injuries) temper my enthusiasm.
If anything, Johnson may jolt Marvin Harrison Jr. into having the breakout season we expected last year. The once-rivals have bonded in the offseason, and you can’t understate the power of team chemistry. Johnson will make Arizona’s defense elite—if he stays healthy.
Grade: B-
- Jason Brow
Round 3, pick 78: Jordan Burch, Oregon EDGE
The Cardinals continued targeting high-upside defenders by selecting Oregon edge rusher Jordan Burch in the third round. Burch will join a deep defensive front in Arizona.
Jordan Burch is explosive and knows how to convert speed to power, but he has room to grow in his hand usage when rushing the passer. Burch should be a quality addition, but with players like wide receiver Jaylin Noel still on the board at the time, it’s hard to fully celebrate this pick.
Grade: B
- Michael Haney
Round 4, pick 115: Cody Simon, Ohio State LB
Linebacker Cody Simon, the Cardinals’ fourth-round pick from Ohio State, could turn out to be a real steal at the 115th overall pick.
Simon was the defensive MVP for the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl and national championship game. He had 112 tackles and seven sacks last season.
Simon was ranked the 11th-best linebacker by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. He “diagnoses keys with ‘do your job’ discipline, not hero ball.” Brugler also said Simon plays “decisive with straight-line explosiveness in pursuit.”
With his pedigree, we can see Simon getting more than his share of snaps and being among the team leaders in tackles.
Grade: A-
- Chuck Bausman
Round 5, pick 174: Denzel Burke, Ohio State CB
Denzel Burke is the latest addition to Arizona’s overcrowded cornerbacks room (which now includes Will Johnson, drafted at No. 47). His size and speed are questionable (I’ve seen places list him as 6’1, others as 5’11).
His draft stock dropped due to some poor games, but he’s known to have a high knowledge of the game. With all the other corners vying for a job, Burke needs to really show up at training camp, or he’ll have fans asking, “Why didn’t they draft a wide receiver instead?”
He has potential to be a solid backup but will only start a game in 2025 if Johnson is injured.
Grade: C+
- Jason Brow
Round 6, pick 211: Hayden Conner, Texas G
Pinch me. The Cardinals remembered they got an offensive line and did something about it. While the Cards don’t have the worst in the league, it’s nowhere near as deep as their defense. Arizona traded with the Cowboys, giving up its No. 152 pick for No. 174 (Denzel Burke) and a sixth-round pick.
Monti Ossenfort then picked the Texas Longhorn guard—a massive 6’6 player who is known for being a solid run-blocker. He’s got some flaws: he’s reportedly not the greatest athlete on the field, with less-than-great reactionary quickness. If he can get past those stumbling blocks, this dude is going to be a nightmare.
He'll be a backup right guard for his rookie season as he works out his kinks.
Grade: B+
- Jason Brow
Round 7, pick 225: Kitan Crawford, Nevada S
Safety Kitan Crawford, the Cardinals’ seventh-round pick, could become a standout on special teams. The 225th overall pick excelled on special teams in his first four seasons at Texas, accumulating more than 1,000 special-teams snaps.
Crawford is the 20th-ranked safety by The Athletic. He played his final season at Nevada and had 76 tackles and two interceptions. Brugler’s assessment: “Both fast and agile, which leads to quick on-field reactions.” He also “flashes intercepting skills on balls thrown near him.”
Crawford has the potential to perform skillfully on special teams. Should he develop, he could work his way into playing time on defense, which would be great value for a seventh-round pick.
Grade: B
- Chuck Bausman