GLENDALE – Everyone has an opinion on who to pick in the 2025 NFL draft. From qualified analysts to fans at dive bars, all of them will tell you different answers about who the Arizona Cardinals should draft at Lambeau Field in two weeks. A successful offseason retooling defense has some draft experts thinking Arizona goes on the other side of the ball to protect franchise quarterback Kyler Murray, while others believe the front seven still needs some work.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!General manager Monti Ossenfort’s job isn’t envious, having to narrow down the talented field of prospects. However, if he needs help, there is a draft expert inside the Cardinals practice facility who he might want to contract in Murray, as the 27-year-old claims he has a hit rate of 100% on draft picks in the past.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Murray talking to PHNX Sports on who he likes for Cardinals:
Murray boasts about his Pro Football Focus mock drafts and his draft expertise. The Pro Bowl quarterback named two defensive linemen by name for Ossenfort and the front office to look out for in Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen and Oregon Ducks’ Derrick Harmon.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon talks with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 7, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Nolen is projected to be a mid-first-round pick, ranked as the 19th overall prospect in the draft. The All-American recorded 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his senior season with the Rebels. At 6’4 and 296 pounds, Nolen possesses impressive speed, running a 4.95 40-yard dash.
Harmon is lower on draft boards as the 23rd-ranked prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. Regardless, the 21-year-old is the second-highest-ranked defensive tackle in this year’s class and could learn a lot from a veteran defensive lineman legend in Calais Campbell if selected to come to the Valley.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesEither selection for the Cardinals at 16th would be a stellar pick on paper, as both defensive linemen possess uber talent for a player at their age and development. And if Ossenfort does go with Murray’s preferred picks on April 24th in the first round, all he wants is a little credit.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
