GLENDALE –The 2025 NFL draft is the last major pitstop for the Arizona Cardinals to add impactful players ahead of next season. The franchise had a stellar offseason and looks to carry that momentum into Thursday’s draft. Arizona can go in many different directions, with various media outlets going in different directions on both sides of the ball on who the team should draft.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski released an article detailing a prospect the Cardinals must avoid in this year’s draft. The franchise interviewed many defensive ends and tackles during this draft process, but Sobleski believes the team shouldn’t go with Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams with its 16th overall pick.
Apr 1, 2025; Palm Beach, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Sobleski on why Cardinals should pass on Williams:
“Georgia’s Mykel Williams doesn’t bring anything new to the table when the Cardinals are on the board with the 16th overall pick. Williams is a developmental edge-rusher, who spent the majority of his collegiate career as a interior defender. In a lot of ways, his skill set similar to Robinson, whom the franchise drafted with last year’s 27th overall pick.
“If the Cardinals are set on adding more juice off the edge, as indicated by looking at multiple defensive ends throughout this year’s predraft process, Arizona should look elsewhere because Williams’ status is based more on upside than actual on-field performance.”
Former Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams runs a drill during UGA Footballs Pro Day in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Representatives from all 32 NFL teams are on hand to watch former UGA football players in action. Syndication: Online Athens
Williams played three seasons with the Bulldogs, recording 14 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in his collegiate career. The 2022 national champion was named Second-team All-SEC in his sophomore and junior seasons. He finished eighth in his draft combine score for all edge rushers and is projected near the end of the first round.
Arizona Cardinals head coach, Jonathan Gannon, and general manager Monti Ossenfort discuss the upcoming NFL Draft during a press conference at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe on April 16, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The Cardinals front office seems keen on drafting an edge to improve the team’s lackluster pass rush from 2024. The first round is filled with talented defensive linemen who showcased in their collegiate careers that they are win-now players. Williams is seen more as a project according to Sobleski, which doesn’t fit Arizona’s timeline of trying to contend this next season.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
