C+
Arizona Cardinals
A mixed bag for the Cardinals, and a C+ to match.
by DarthVee ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 4 steals
· 3 reaches
You can hear the double-takes from here. The Cardinals took Jordan Burch at the 47th overall pick, roughly 50 spots before his name belonged. Fine in stretches, shaky in others: a C+.
The Mukuba steal is the beam this whole class leans on. They punted on quarterback, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
The trades cost them a sliver of value they did not need to spend. The trenches got the money picks, top to bottom.
So much rides on Walter Nolen that the real verdict is a season or two away.
Pick-by-Pick
Walter Nolen in the 44th overall pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. The roster fit checks out.
They talked themselves into Jordan Burch at pick No. 47, and the board did not agree. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Demetrius Knight Jr. at Round 3, Pick 12 is money in the bank, a linebacker taken below his worth. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Jalen Royals slid further than he should have, and the 78th pick is lovely value for the wide receiver. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Somehow Andrew Mukuba was still sitting there in the Round 4 slot, and they pounced on premier safety value. A minor need, but a need all the same.
Willie Lampkin at No. 148 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. at Round 5, Pick 14 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.