The Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 NFL Draft includes seven new faces, highlighted by first-round pick and defensive tackle Walter Nolen III out of Ole Miss.
But before they hit the field for rookie minicamp next week, here are some fun facts about general manager Monti Ossenfort’s latest batch of draft picks:
New Cardinals war daddy loading?
Head coach Jonathan Gannon likes to term dominant defensive players as “war daddies.”
Among the handful of names he’s dropped since getting to town includes retired Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Could Nolen be next in line?
Given his thoughts on the matter, don’t put it past the rookie.
As for Donald, it sounds like he’s planning to watch quite a bit of Cardinals film in the near future.
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“I heard you say you’re the next Aaron Donald, man,” Donald said to Nolen during an NFL Network interview at the NFL Draft Combine. “Keep doing your thing, man. Hopefully, you have a long career and a better career than what I had. I’ll be looking out for you, I’ll be watching for you, and see how this thing turns out for you.”
Talk about some big shoes to fill.
Small sample size, plenty of production
Second-round pick Will Johnson saw his final season at Michigan cut short to just six games due to shoulder and turf toe issues.
The cornerback, however, made the most of the circumstances behind two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns and three passes defensed.
It marked the second straight season with at least one interception taken to the house by Johnson, who now holds the program record for pick sixes.
His play before injuries derailed the season still resulted in a Second Team All-American nod and an All-Big Ten honorable mention from conference coaches. Johnson was also a Jim Thorpe semifinalist.
There’s a reason why he’s being viewed as one of the biggest steals in the draft.
From high school to the NFL
Third-round pick Jordan Burch has his work cut out for him entering a crowded outside linebackers room led by outside addition Josh Sweat and Zaven Collins.
Burch, though, already has a familiar face in the room, having played high school ball with second-year pro Xavier Thomas.
“It was a scary sight for (opposing offensive lineman). Me and him being on the same line, being able to rush, I learned a lot from him back in high school. That was great having him on my team.”
The Block O
The Cardinals aren’t oblivious to program awards and the meaning behind them.
The first example was selecting LSU alum BJ Ojulari, who rocked the No. 18 jersey which was handed out to the player who showcases leadership, attention to detail and focus, in 2023.
Fast forward to 2025, and there’s another program award winner joining the ranks in fourth-rounder and inside linebacker Cody Simon.
In his final season at Ohio State, the team captain earned the Block O jersey. In honor of Ohio State legend Bill Willis, the award is handed down to the player who represents toughness, accountability and fight.
Your 2024 ????? ?, ???? ????? ?️ @Cody_Simon30 pic.twitter.com/2VJpcKtV7w
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 23, 2024
“He really had a chance this year to kinda run the show for them,” assistant GM Dave Sears said last Saturday. “Going back to that championship DNA, you can see that in this kid. He certainly has command of the team. When you have a command of an elite defense like that, that says something about your character, your knowledge, because they’re not just going to look to anybody.
“Those guys are all high-level players that turn to this guy to give them direction, so that’s a big factor.”
Simon marks the fifth Block O award winner.
The local kid
Fifth-round pick Denzel Burke already has a clear idea of what battles against Marvin Harrison Jr. are like having practiced against the wide receiver during their time together at Ohio State from 2021-23.
“Nobody’s had a tougher assignment in practice the last four years than Denzel Burke with the guys he’s had to cover in practice. I mean, holy smokes,” GM Monti Ossenfort said Saturday.
That’s not the only part of Arizona he knows a thing or two about, though.
On top of his built-in relationship with Harrison and the other Buckeyes on the roster, Burke already has a lay of the land having grown up in the Valley.
Burke played high school ball at both Brophy Prep and Saguaro before heading to Ohio State.
And yes, he grew up a Cardinals fan.
“Patrick Peterson was one of my favorite players. Complete legend and probably a future Hall of Famer,” Burke said after being drafted. “Larry Fitzerald, the list goes on. … Started off with me being in the nose bleeds just watching from afar and just dreaming of myself to be in that position and I am now today thanks to God.”
A banner stretch
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better stretch than what sixth-round pick Hayden Conner is on.
Not only did the offensive guard out of Texas see his dream of being drafted come true, Saturday also marked his 23rd birthday.
But the April celebrations didn’t just revolve around Conner getting drafted.
Earlier in the month, he and his fiancee tied the knot.
Safe to say it’s been a busy month for one of the newest Cardinals.
Turning heads
Seventh-round pick Kitan Crawford was an absolute standout during the NFL Draft Combine.
From the 40-yard dash to the bench press, Crawford made the most of his time in Indianapolis:
– 3-cone drill: 6.81 seconds (first among safeties) – 20-yard shuttle: 4.03 seconds (first) – Vertical: 41.5 inches (second) – 40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds (third) – Broad jump: 10 feet, eight inches (third) – Bench press: 18 reps (third) – 10-yard split: 1.52 seconds (seventh)
Simply put, he got after it.
And while the safeties room remains crowded, Crawford’s ability as a special teamer could give him a leg up when it comes to securing a 53-man roster spot. It’s a big reason why NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein pegged Crawford as a fourth or fifth rounder heading into the draft.
“Kitan really stood out to us for his ability on fourth down, his ability to cover kicks and be a disruptive to presence,” Ossenfort said. “We also think he’s got a chance to develop on defense as well.”
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