Tempe – There was a clear theme to the offseason of the Cardinals of Arizona in 2025.
Make the defensive line an asset, not a passive.
We have seen that thought earlier in the free agency with the additions of the rusher of Josh sweat passes and defensive plates Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. And we saw it again on Thursday evening when the Arizona caught the defensive platform to Ole Miss Walter Nolen with the overall choice n ° 16.
No, it is not the guardian or the offensive tackle that cardinals could still use (more on this subject later), but it is a decision that could have a significant impact for the years to come.
“It is a violent position to play, the offensive and defensive line, and we underwent an attrition at the same time (last year),” said Director General Monti Ossenfort on Thursday. “So, each time we can add large bodies and add talented guys to this room … We can never have enough of these guys.
“We are just happy to have added another talented, violent and disturbing player to a difficult position to fill along the defensive line.”
The choice of first round Walter Nolen is “1,000%” an Arizona cardinal, explains head coach Jonathan Gannon. pic.twitter.com/ewleoqqhfr
– Tyler Drake (@ tdrake4sports) April 25, 2025
There is a light bridge in the Cardinal DL room
Yes, Tomlinson, Campbell and Darius Robinson should be considered the team’s departure options at the front in 2025.
The first two of the trio have more than gained than directly from their NFL curriculum vitae, while Robinson is expected to make a massive jump after a recruited season filled with injuries that also included the death of his mother.
From there, however, things become much more interesting.
While Dante Stills and LJ necklace are currently online to obtain the first cracks as two of the team’s first rotation pieces, there are question points beyond Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols.
The veteran duo has scored two of the biggest names in Arizona, the last free agency. None of the two lived up to their invoicing as solid options behind the respective injuries of the end of the season.
However, Nolen is ready to win a role.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I know that the level of competition in the room will be great. I know I have good veterinarians in front of me, so I can’t wait to get there and learn and compete. ”
But even if members of the group now deeply deeply beat Nolen, Arizona put on the recruit to take the reins as a starter alongside Robinson for the years to come, in particular with Campbell (38 years old) and Tomlinson (31 years old) in the backend of their career.
In this regard, it is a question of knowing when Nolen becomes the next game game of Arizona, not so.
“The perfect world was to get into my car and have Walter Nolen in my team.”
Head coach Jonathan Gannon said he had the first round of the cardinals classified n ° 1 on his painting before tonight. pic.twitter.com/ejnw8d3kxy
– Tyler Drake (@ tdrake4sports) April 25, 2025
“He likes to leave the rock and the stream on the field, which is great,” said head coach Jonathan Gannon. “This is one of the things we love with him. I think that when you combine this (with his hands), there are not many people who can stay engaged with him. He can throw these guys. It is a very good anchor to be this disruptive, fast, athletic and powerful guy.
“He is not only sitting on a melee line taking blocks. He penetrates and does these things. But then you see him anchor when he also uses his hands.”
What is the next on the list of cardinals tasks?
The cardinals adding Nolen in the first round, attention turns much more in Arizona strengthening its offensive line.
Guard remains the greatest need for the team after he did not meet the position Thursday evening.
And a bit like the defensive situation of Arizona, bringing a young offensive tackle to help fill the gap if Jonah Williams or Kelvin Beachum in motion would be advantageous for a team looking for consistency before a great year 3.
A name that stands out after the first 32 choices of the NFL draft is the offensive line of Arizona Wildcats Jonah Savaiaea.
The former Arizona brings with him a lot of versatility, having played both tackle and right guard squares at university.
Another player is the offensive platform of Minnesota Aireontae Ersery, who has spent most of his five -year -old university career on the left.
Ersery also has a university connection with the ranks of Arizona in the coach of the new defensive line Winston Delattiboudere, who trained the Golden Gophers in the last two seasons before joining the cardinals.
How many choices do the cardinals have on day 2 of the NFL draft?
Arizona currently has two choices for day 2 of the NFL recovery:
– N ° 47 in total (second round)
– N ° 78 in total (third round)
