GLENDALE – Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort is being touted as one of the biggest winners of the 2025 NFL draft with his stellar class. Ossenfort made seven picks, six of which were for defensive players, that draft analysis are raving that can be impact players in year one. All seven of the Cardinals rookies are starting minicamp, where four signed their rookie contract with the teams beforehand.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Three players remained unsigned during rookie minicamp, but that number now goes to two with fourth-round pick Cody Simon signing his rookie contract.
Arizona Cardinals fourth-round draft pick Cody Simon speaks to the media at the Arizona Cardinals training center on May 8, 2025, in Tempe. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Cardinals in Press Release on Simon:
“Simon (6-2, 229) served as a team captain last season at Ohio State and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection after leading the National Champion Buckeyes with career-highs in tackles (112), tackles for loss (13), sacks (7.0) and passes defensed (seven).
“He was named the Defensive Player of the Game in both Ohio State playoff victories at the Rose Bowl over Oregon and the CFP National Championship Game over Notre Dame. During his five seasons at Ohio State, Simon played in 58 games (30 starts) and had 259 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 11 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception.”
Linebacker Cody Simon during the Cardinals rookie minicamp at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe on May 9,2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The former Buckeye linebacker was the leader of the 2025 National Champions defense. Simon’s maturity helps lead the team on and off the field, earning “Block 0” at Ohio State for his toughness and character. Despite falling to a Day 3 pick, he can be a dynamic player for Arizona.
1st-round pick Walter Nolen and 2nd-round pick Will Johnson remain the lone two rookies unsigned from the 2025 class. However, deals for top picks take longer to finalize because of the money involved, so the franchise has nothing to worry about in the future.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
