Reevaluating Cardinals’ biggest needs this NFL Draft ...Middle East

The Arizona Cardinals’ roster looks a whole lot different than it did at the conclusion of the regular season. And for good reason.

Despite doubling their win total from a year prior, there was plenty of work to be done defensively.

So instead of focusing on cap savings rather than spending, Arizona aggressively swung for the fences and hit on Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson.

Bringing back Calais Campbell was the icing on the free-agent cake for general manager Monti Ossenfort.

Months ago, most everyone was talking about the Cardinals’ desperate needs at interior defensive line and pass rusher.

That thinking has shifted.

A look at the biggest roster needs still remaining for the Cardinals heading into the 2025 NFL Draft:

Cardinals’ biggest roster needs this NFL Draft

Offensive guard

The Cardinals checked quite a few positional boxes in permanent ink this offseason.

Guard, however, is still high atop the to-do list for the Cardinals.

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Bringing back Evan Brown might be one of the most underrated re-signings the team made this free agency. The guard filled in nicely alongside Paris Johnson Jr. and was one of the most consistent presences along the line behind 17 starts.

He’s a no-doubt starter for the franchise this season.

Beyond him, though, questions loom. Among the biggest revolves around second-year pro Isaiah Adams.

After limited reps midway through the season, Adams found himself in a starting role and appeared in 100% of available offensive snaps across the final five games of the season.

It’s the type of stretch a young player can build off heading into the offseason.

Still, added competition at the position is needed.

Aside from Adams and Brown, Arizona has Jake Curhan and Jon Gaines II as the next best options at guard.

Curhan was used primarily at left guard last year but has seen more time at tackle in the NFL.

Gaines on the other hand was sparingly used in 2024 after missing the entirety of his rookie year due to a knee injury.

He has the traits to play all three interior positions yet remains a seldom used depth piece.

Guard easily takes the cake as priority No. 1 for the Cardinals this NFL Draft.

Names to watch this NFL Draft: Tyler Booker (Alabama), Donovan Jackson (Ohio State), Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)

Interior defensive line

Arizona got busy this offseason in revamping one of the biggest problem areas on the roster in the defensive line.

Tomlinson and Campbell are absolute needle-movers given their NFL resumes. The latter’s deep connection to Arizona only adds to the signing.

Ahead of the NFL Draft, the trio of Tomlinson, Campbell and second-year pro Darius Robinson should have Cardinals fans excited about the potential of the revamped position group.

That being said, continuing to add to the room is a must.

Robinson is expected to be a starter for years to come after an injury-filled rookie year. Dante Stills is easily one of Ossenfort’s best value picks to date.

Tomlinson and Campbell, however, are in the back half of their NFL careers. Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols and L.J. Collier are no young pups, either.

Ossenfort must continue to keep one eye on the present and the other on the future when it comes to interior defensive line construction.

Names to watch: Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Derrick Harmon (Oregon), Kenneth Grant (Michigan)

Offensive tackle

The Cardinals currently have a couple of options when it comes to the tackle spot opposite Paris Johnson Jr.

But much like the defensive line, looking ahead to the future is critical.

As of Tuesday, the Cardinals have Kelvin Beachum and Jonah Williams as the likely candidates to start at right tackle.

The latter, though, is coming off an injury-riddled 2024 that resulted in just six starts. Just how effective will he be this season?

Beachum logged 12 starts across 16 games played as Arizona’s primary right tackle in place of Williams but is nearing the end of his career and on a one-year deal.

Christian Jones marks another name that could find his way into the competition, although he appeared in just two games (one start) as a rookie due to injury and roster makeup.

Names to watch: Josh Simmons (Ohio State), Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas), Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)

Inside linebacker

Kyzir White brought stability and violence to the inside linebackers room in his two seasons with the team.

But with him remaining unsigned and a reunion unlikely after the team brought in outside additions Akeem Davis-Gaither and Mykal Walker, adding an heir apparent definitely wouldn’t hurt.

Mack Wilson Sr. is expected to return to his versatile role along the inside, while Davis-Gaither and Walker appear to be the leaders in the clubhouse for the role vacated by White.

Then there’s Owen Pappoe, who has the physical traits but has yet to find consistent defensive snaps after seeing no more than 13% of available reps the past two seasons.

Names to watch: Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), Chris Paul Jr. (Mississippi), Carson Schwesinger (UCLA)

Wide receiver

The Cardinals went all-in on upgrading the wide receiver position last NFL Draft by taking Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4 overall.

They doesn’t mean they couldn’t use another pair of hands, though (just not in the first round).

Despite Michael Wilson largely kicked the injury bug that had been following him since college, Arizona’s WR2 put up similar stats to his rookie year.

Greg Dortch was viewed more as a return man than offensive weapon, while Zay Jones saw limited snaps and dealt with a five-game suspension.

There’s a world where Jones is utilized much more in Drew Petzing’s offense and threatens Wilson for the WR2 role. Even if that is the case, bringing in a speedster that can help take the top off defenses and take some of the pressure off Harrison could pay dividends.

Names to watch: Jaylin Noel, Jaylin Lane, KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Pass rusher

Pass rusher is no longer at the top of the list in terms of the Cardinals’ needs. Sweat, Collins, Baron Browning and BJ Ojulari (if fully healthy) are expected to be leaned on heavily this year.

But bringing in a young player who doesn’t have to be pressed into playing right away isn’t a bad idea whatsoever.

You can never have too many options when it comes to disrupting the line of scrimmage.

And given how ineffective Arizona’s defense was at stopping the run or getting to the quarterback, there could be worst ways to use draft capital.

Names to watch: Mykel Williams, Shemar Stewart, Landon Jackson

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