TEMPE — There has been a clear theme to the Arizona Cardinals’ offseason in 2025.
Make the defensive line an asset, not a liability.
We saw that thinking earlier in free agency with the additions of pass rusher Josh Sweat and defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. And we saw it again Thursday night when Arizona nabbed Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen with the No. 16 overall pick.
No, it’s not the offensive guard or tackle that the Cardinals could still greatly use (more on that later), but it is a move that could make a big impact for years to come.
“It’s a violent position to play, the offensive and defensive line, and we suffered attrition at both those (last year),” general manager Monti Ossenfort said Thursday. “So, anytime that we can add big bodies and add talented guys to that room … We can never have enough of those guys.
“We’re just happy that we added another talented, violent, disruptive player to a hard-to-fill position along the defensive line.”
First-round pick Walter Nolen is “1,000%” an Arizona Cardinal, says head coach Jonathan Gannon. pic.twitter.com/eWLEOqQHFr
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 25, 2025
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There’s a clear bridge within the Cardinals’ DL room
Yes, Tomlinson, Campbell and Darius Robinson should be viewed as the team’s starting options up front heading into 2025.
The first two of the trio have more than earned that right from their NFL resumes, while Robinson is expected to take a massive jump following an injury-filled rookie season that also included the passing of his mother.
From there, though, things get a lot more interesting.
While Dante Stills and L.J. Collier are currently in line to get first cracks as two of the team’s first rotational pieces, there are question marks beyond them in Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols.
The veteran duo marked two of Arizona’s bigger names last free agency. Neither lived up to their billing as sturdy options behind respective season-ending injuries.
However it works out, Nolen is up for the challenge to win a role.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I know the competition level in the room is going to be great. I know I got some good vets in front of me, so I just can’t wait to get there and learn and compete.”
But even if members of the now-deep group beats out Nolen initially, Arizona is banking on the rookie to take the reins as starter alongside Robinson for years to come, especially with Campbell (38 years old) and Tomlinson (31) at the backend of their careers.
In that regard, it’s a matter of when Nolen becomes Arizona’s next game wrecker, not if.
“The perfect world was getting in my car and having Walter Nolen on my team.”
Head coach Jonathan Gannon said he had the Cardinals’ first-rounder ranked No. 1 on his board heading into tonight. pic.twitter.com/Ejnw8D3KxY
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 25, 2025
“He likes to come off the rock and rip-roar up the field, which is awesome,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said. “It’s one of the things that we love about him. I think when you pair that (with his hands), there’s not a lot of people that can stay engaged with him. He can throw those guys off. He is a really good anchor for being this disruptive, quick, athletic, powerful guy.
“He’s not just sitting on a line of scrimmage taking on blocks. He’s penetrating and doing those things. But then you do see him anchor when he uses his hands, too.”
What’s next on the Cardinals’ to-do list?
With the Cardinals adding Nolen in the first round, the attention turns that much more to Arizona bolstering its offensive line.
Guard remains the team’s biggest need after it didn’t address the position on Thursday night.
And much like Arizona’s defensive line situation, bringing in a young offensive tackle to help bridge the gap if Jonah Williams or Kelvin Beachum move on would be advantageous for a team looking for consistency ahead of a big Year 3.
One name that stands out following the first 32 picks of the NFL Draft is Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea.
The Arizona alum brings with him plenty of versatility, having played both tackle spots and right guard in college.
Another player is Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, who spent most of his five-year college career on the left side.
Ersery also has a college connection with Arizona’s ranks in new defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere, who was coaching the Golden Gophers the past two seasons before joining the Cardinals.
How many picks do the Cardinals have in Day 2 of the NFL Draft?
Arizona currently has two picks for Day 2 of the NFL Draft:
– No. 47 overall (second round) – No. 78 overall (third round)
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