GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals are being touted as the biggest winners of the 2025 NFL draft. The marquee names in the first tw0 rounds of DT Walter Nolen and CB Will Johnson has garnered most of the teams praise from experts. However, general manager Monti Ossenfort might’ve gotten the most important piece at 115th with Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon.
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Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon during CFP National Championship Champions press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What Simon brings to the Cardinals:
After not resigning mike linebacker Kyzir White, the Cardinals needed to find his replacement. The task is easier said then done, but Ossenfort taking Simon in the fourth round is the perfect player to insert into defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ scheme.
Simon led the national champion Buckeyes’ defense as the field general. In his last season at Ohio State, he recorded 112 tackles, seven sacks, and seven passes defended. Pro Football Focus graded Simon as one of the most elite linebackers in the draft.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon runs the 40 during the pro day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletic Cente on March 26, 2025. Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Arizona’s linebacker room needs a Simon type of player that has a lot of experience as the “green dot” of a defense. Simon appeared in 57 games at one of the premier programs in the nation at Ohio State. The 23-year-old was the team captain for the Buckeyes and ended his collegiate career with a national champion.
Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort celebrates with cornerback Kris Boyd (29) after beating the Dallas Cowboysat State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Ossenfort’s draft strategy appeared to take experienced players from winning programs to elevate the team’s defense, drafting three national champions in this past draft. The Cardinals will take a massive leap next season, and it’ll be off the backs of this rookie class, led by Simon, to take that jump.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
