Latest A to Z Sports first-round mock draft features Arizona Cardinals selecting physically gifted defensive prospect
We are less than one month away from the 2025 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals have been fairly active during free agency, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Their prize signing is edge rusher Josh Sweat, and they've also added linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. The Cardinals pick smack dab […]
We are less than one month away from the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals have been fairly active during free agency, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Their prize signing is edge rusher Josh Sweat, and they've also added linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.
The Cardinals pick smack dab in the middle of the first round at No. 16. Will they continue to bulk up their defense, or give the offense some attention? A to Z Sports Minnesota Vikings writer and draft guru Tyler Forness released a first-round mock draft on Thursday, so let's check out his selection for Arizona and analyze it.
No. 16: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis come from the Mike Zimmer tree and the engine of pass rush is a penetrating 3T. Nolen, who was the number one recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, is just that. He will need a little bit of coaching to maximize his ability, but there is a lot to like." – Tyler Forness
This is yet another addition to the defense, but could be its missing piece that completes the unit. Nolen's athletic traits may be at the very top among all DTs in this year's draft class. He possesses an incredible blend of power and quickness, but needs to refine his fundamentals.
Nolen is a three-down player who has played elite competition for three seasons in the SEC. With some good coaching up, which he'll receive from defensive-minded coach Jonathan Gannon, Nolen should develop into a well-rounded player and become a force against the run and as a pass rusher.
There has been chatter about character concerns regarding Nolen dating all the way to his high school days, but there aren't really any specific examples. While the Cardinals should definitely explore that and take it seriously, sometimes these things can get a bit overblown.
A gift falls in the Cardinals’ laps in a new 2025 NFL Mock Draft and the only person who would be happier than the fans is Kyler Murray
The Arizona Cardinals landed the most sought-after wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft class last year when they selected Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. A new A to Z Sports 2025 NFL mock draft has them doing it again, with a very talented player falling into their laps unexpectedly at pick 16. Cardinals land […]
