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👋 GOOD MORNING
Happy Tuesday! The Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror, so now the real question begins: What is the Cardinals’ biggest need heading into the 2025 NFL Draft in April? Will any day-one impact players even be left for GM Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon to select at 16th overall? I take a first peek below, but be sure to stay tuned in with our amazing PHNX Cardinals crew and draft expert Fran Duffy for complete coverage from now until the draft kicks off on April 24.
On to the show!
Evaluating the Cardinals’ Most Pressing Needs
Another NFL season is in the books.
As the league shifts into offseason mode, the hard work is just beginning (and, let’s be honest, has already been in full swing) for most GMs. Most of the prep has been done, sans combine evaluations, which will take place from Feb. 27 through March 2 in Indianapolis. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort has plenty to evaluate following this season’s 8-9 finish, especially as Arizona attempts to get back into the postseason for the first time since 2021.
The Cardinals pick 16th in first round, but what are their most pressing needs?
NFL Draft Can Address Immediate Needs
Defense, Defense, Defense: The Eagles showed it in the Super Bowl on Sunday: Defense wins championships. So, spare me the logic that Arizona needs to leverage the NFL to add another weapon for QB Kyler Murray. Save the wide receiver picks for later in the draft, because Ossenfort and his team should be focused on the best available at edge rusher, defensive line and/or cornerback. The Cards have five total selections (16th, 47th, 78th, 114th and 153rd), and defense should be a top priority for a team that allowed the 12th most yards per game last season (342.5).
- Defensive Line: It sure would be something if Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) or Tyleik Williams (Ohio State) fell to 16th overall, but look out for the sneaky big Derrick Harmon, a massive-yet-underrated lineman listed at 6-foot-5, and 320 pounds.
- Edge: This year’s draft class is pretty darn deep on the edge, as ESPN lists three prospects in the top-10 overall pool. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. would be a steal if he slipped down to 16, as he has 17 combined sacks over the past two seasons.
- Cornerback: Arizona recorded the ninth fewest interceptions last season, and could benefit from a corner who’s ready to hit the ground running. The 2025 CB class isn’t exactly loaded, but there are still day-one impact players available, including Will Johnson (Michigan) and Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), two of the top-rated CBs in the draft.
My Take: The Cardinals have an opportunity to take a step forward next season, and it’s going to begin with the defense. It’s not that AZ doesn’t need help on the offensive side of the ball; Sure, bolstering the offensive line and adding another weapon for Murray in the NFL Draft would be impactful. Still, after witnessing Philadelphia’s methodical dismantling of Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, I’m as sold as ever that the Cards should address their defense in the first round.
Go More In-Depth: Swan-dive into NFL Draft coverage like never before with expert Fran Duffy’s Diehard draft guide! Read scouting profiles, watch video breakdowns and hear from your favorite PHNX Cardinals personalities, like Bo and Johnny!
Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley
Wanting Tobe the Best: Arizona men’s basketball forward Tobe Awaka was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after recording a pair of 14-point games while averaging 10 rebounds over that span. The junior notched his fifth double-double of the season in Arizona’s 82-73 win over No. 13 Texas Tech.
Golden Start: Three ASU baseball players, and one UA player, were named to the 2025 Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list, which celebrates the top amateur baseball player in the country. The Sun Devils lead the way with three representatives (OF Brandon Compton, LHP Ben Jacobs and IF Kyle Walker), while OF Brendan Summerhill is reppin’ for the Wildcats.
Mentally Dur-able: Kevin Durant handled the NBA trade deadline — and all of the rumors that swirled over both him and the team — as the pro we have all come to know and respect since his arrival in The Valley. Say what you will about the state of the Suns right now, but it’s nice to have a leader of his caliber on the team.
🧢 Tip of the Hat
Who should the Cardinals pursue in free agency? Our PHNX Cardinals crew has you covered.
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