ClutchPoints
The Arizona Cardinals are in the middle of a calculated rebuild. That plan took another step forward this offseason as general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon focused heavily on bolstering the defense. After two years of foundation-laying, the Cardinals may finally have the pieces in place to compete. However, that also means some long-standing veterans are about to feel the heat from a highly regarded rookie class.
The Cardinals went into the 2025 offseason with one clear goal: give Gannon the defensive firepower he needs to turn this unit into a top-10 group. After finishing the 2023 season (Gannon’s first season with the Cardinals) with an uninspiring 50.9 team PFF defensive grade — including a 38.2 mark against the run — Arizona aggressively attacked its weaknesses.
For 2025, they brought in proven veterans like Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson and traded for edge rusher Josh Sweat. The team also drafted three blue-chip defensive prospects: Walter Nolen III, Will Johnson, and Jordan Burch. Campbell’s return to Arizona, 17 years after being drafted by the franchise, adds gravitas. That said, it’s the rookies who are turning heads in OTAs — particularly cornerback Will Johnson. He slipped to No. 47 in the draft due to injury concerns but has already looked like a steal, according to team insiders.
Sure, Arizona still has offensive line concerns and a few unanswered questions in the middle of the defense. However, the competition across the depth chart — especially on defense — is as intense as it’s been in years.
Here we’ll try to look at the Arizona Cardinals veteran players whose roles will be pushed by rookies in the 2025 NFL season.
It was a surprise to some when Arizona used the No. 16 pick on Walter Nolen III. That was not because of his talent, but because the team had already spent a first-rounder on Darius Robinson in 2024 and just signed Campbell in April. Make no mistake, though — the Cardinals didn’t draft Nolen to stash him. They expect impact and soon.
Nolen brings game-wrecking potential. His scouting reports rave about his power, first-step quickness, and versatility. He can be an every-down player if he develops quickly. He’s physical, instinctual, and perhaps the most talented interior defensive lineman Arizona has had in years.
That raises serious questions for both Campbell and Robinson. Yes, Campbell is still productive. That said, he’ll turn 39 in September. The Cardinals may lean on him for leadership and rotational snaps, but it’s unlikely he’ll play a full-time role.
Robinson, on the other hand, is younger but hasn’t shown much. After a promising college career, he played just six games last season due to a calf injury and recorded only 10 tackles and one sack. If Nolen shines in training camp and the preseason, Robinson could find himself rotating with the second team — or worse.
Sure, Arizona’s pass rush got the headlines. Still, the biggest...
