GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals are less than 24 hours away from being on the clock with their 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Thursday’s draft will be held at Lambeau Field, where Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce future NFL Pro Bowlers and All-Pro players. The Cardinals hope to be one of those teams lucky to add a high-impact player in this draft, but it’s unclear where the franchise goes with their first-round pick.
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Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill (R) and GM Monti Ossenfort watch the team play against the Saints during a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 released his prediction on what general manager Monti Ossenfort will do when the team is on the clock. For the past few years, Gambadoro released his “Gambo 5,” which he gives five players Arizona will likely select in the draft. Gambadoro has predicted picks in the past, like Hasson Reddick, Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins, Budda Baker, and Christian Kirk.
Gambadoro has a high hit rate on predicting the team’s picks, and on Wednesday, he released his 2025 edition of the “Gambo 5.”
Gambo 5 for the Cardinals:
- Alabama G Tyler Booker
- Ohio State OT Josh Simmons
- Texas OT Kelvin Banks
- Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen
- Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
- (Honorable mention) Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
Apr 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) celebrates after the offense scored a touchdown during the A-Day scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Three of the five names listed are for offensive linemen, as Gambadoro views this year’s class as weak from the tackle position. Securing protection for franchise quarterback Kyler Murray and bulking up the offensive line with players like Booker, Simmons, and Banks would be an attractive option with the team’s first-round pick.
Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen (2) waits for the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
However, many media reports have the Cardinals taking a defensive lineman to help with the lackluster pass rush in 2024. Nolen and Harmon are the top two rated defensive tackles in the draft and put up high production numbers with their time in college, while Williams is seen as more of a project with his raw ability.Â
The radio host ruled out wide receivers and cornerbacks, as he believes Arizona doesn’t view those positions as top priority in the first round. Other pass rushers, like Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, were seen as too risky to take with the 16th pick, but if the Cardinals trade down are an option.
The Cardinals’ recent offseason gives them flexibility with their first-round selection, filling needs from last season by spending big in free agency. The NFL draft starts at 5 p.m. on Thursday, giving Arizona one last chance to add an impact player before the 2025 season.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
