Arizona Cardinals load up on talent in 2025 NFL Draft

State of play: Most analysts gave the Cardinals' draft class a "B" rating or higher.

• While the team didn't fill every hole, "it's hard to argue that the Cardinals have not constructed a playoff-caliber roster" between their draft pick-ups and free agency signings, The Arizona Republic wrote.

Catch up quick: The Cardinals looked to stack the weaker side of their roster, selecting only defensive players in the first five rounds.

• Round 1: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
• Round 2: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
• Round 3: Jordan Burch, edge, Oregon
• Round 4: Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
• Round 5: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
• Round 6: Hayden Conner, G, Texas
• Round 7: Kitan Crawford, S, Nevada

Zoom in: All eyes are on Nolen, who Sports Illustrated described as a "boom-or-bust prospect" who could be as impactful as the Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Carter — if he pans out.

• "Few prospects in this year's class have as much natural upside and game-changing ability as Nolen," Bleacher Report wrote.
• The other side: "The Cardinals keep building in the trenches, grabbing a twitchy gap-shooting lineman in Nolen. The former Ole Miss star has excellent traits and brings plenty of upside, but he plays like a bull in a china shop a little too often," The Ringer's Danny Kelly wrote.

What we're watching: The Cards took a bit of a risk on Johnson, who got passed over in the first round because of reports of a knee injury that "could require surgery at some point."

• Johnson claims he is healthy and "could be an immediate impact player" if he steers clear of medical issues, Sports Illustrated noted.

1 local win to go: Beloved ASU running back Cam Skattebo was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants.

• His happy tears melted our hearts.