TEMPE, Ariz. -- The 2025 NFL draft kicked off on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With their first selection, the Arizona Cardinals took Ole Miss defensive end Walter Nolen No. 16 overall. Here's a closer look at what each pick will bring to the roster:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 16 overall: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
My take: Nolen essentially completes the Cardinals' rebuild of their defensive front. He'll give Arizona a boost up front and as someone with a nose for the quarterback, he'll be an instant complement to Arizona's edge rushers. Nolen will also be able to learn from a bevy of veteran players around him like Calais Campbell, L.J. Collier, Justin Jones and Dalvin Tomlinson, which will help his growth on and off the field. His 6.5 sacks last season at Ole Miss were tied for third among defensive tackles and his 12 tackles for loss at DT were second in FBS.
Key stat for Nolen: His 32 tackles within two yards of the line of scrimmage shows his ability to shed blocks and make plays when the plays gets past him. Not allowing plays to get to the second level will be crucial for the Cardinals getting off the field next season.
Will he start as a rookie? There's definitely a possibility he could be a Day 1 starter, but he may not need to be if he's not ready. The Cardinals have enough depth on their defensive line so they won't need to rush him on the field before he's ready, but Nolen's skill set and talent may end up making it too hard for Arizona to let him sit on the sideline and wait. The Cardinals will be able to mask some of Nolen's growing pains with the vets around him.
Round 2, No. 47: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
My take: The Cardinals may have the steal of the draft in Johnson. A projected top-10 pick at one point, Johnson fell down the draft board because of concerns about knee issues. He has said they haven't been a concern in two years. Should Johnson show up to Arizona healthy, the Cardinals have a CB1 -- and their CB1 of the future. He's someone who can be a lockdown corner and can focus on defending an offense's WR1, a position the Cardinals have needed the last few seasons.
Ties to the team to know: Their schools may have been bitter rivals in college, but Johnson, a Michigan product, and current Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., an Ohio State Buckeye, have become closer while Johnson trained in Arizona this offseason. The two went golfing at one point, and Harrison Jr. told Johnson that Arizona needed defensive help. It led to the two discussing the possibility of playing together -- and now it has happened.
What's next: The Cardinals still have a list of wants and needs, including a wide receiver, offensive lineman, inside linebacker and edge rusher. While they may not address OL in the third round if the right player isn't on the board, the other positions are in play.
Round 3, No. 78: Jordan Burch, DT, Oregon
My take: In Burch, the Cardinals added a talented, young edge rusher to join their already-deep outside linebacker room. Burch can play a variety of positions but has established himself as a capable pass rusher. He finished last season with 8.5 sacks while missing four games because of injuries. He'll be an ideal complement to the likes of Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, B.J. Ojulari and Baron Browning off the edge.
When will he be expected to get regular playing time? He could easily be part of the rotation from Day 1, but with Sweat expected to be the full-time starter on one side of the line, Burch will have to compete with Collins, Ojulari and Browning for snaps. That kind of depth will allow Arizona to bring Burch along slowly, if needed, while he finds his feet as an NFL-caliber pass rusher.
What's next: The Cardinals head into the final day of the draft with a handful of positions they'd like to address if the right players present themselves: wide receiver, guard, right tackle and inside linebacker.
Round 4, No. 115: Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
My take: The Cardinals were in the market for an inside linebacker and Simon is just that. He was productive at Ohio State, earning defensive MVP honors at both the CFP National Championship and the Rose Bowl last season. Simon had 112 tackles in 2024 and was one of four players in the FBS to have at least 100 tackles and seven sacks. He'll be given a shot to start at inside linebacker but will have to earn it.
Round 5, No. 174: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
My take: Burke adds more depth to an incredibly deep cornerbacks room. His experience will be valuable in shortening his learning curve. Burke had 51 career starts at Ohio State, which were the most by any defensive back in Ohio State history. He also extensive experience in press coverage with 333 coverage snaps in press in his career.
Round 6, No. 211: Hayden Conner, OG, Texas
My take: Conner addresses a position of need for the Cardinals, who have been looking to add more competition at guard. He's 6-foot-6 and 314 pounds, making him a formidable presence on the line and he has experience, starting 43 games for Texas.
Round 7, No. 225: Kitan Crawford, S, Nevada
My take: Crawford will join a talented safety room highlighted by Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Joey Blount and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson. He'll have an opportunity to make the roster, but he'll also have to be willing to embrace a roll on special teams. He showed in college he can make plays, tallying 76 tackles and two interceptions last season at Nevada.