Arizona Cardinals
Record: 8-9 (Third in the NFC West)
Coach: Jonathan Gannon
The Arizona Cardinals had higher expectations than they’re used to coming into the 2025 season. That isn’t saying much since the team has been pretty terrible for most of the 2020s so far. Though 2024 proved to be different, as coach Jonathan Gannon seemed to be building a culture in Arizona they were sorely missing. Going into 2025 the team was looking to expand upon this with star QB Kyler Murray returning and rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. making his debut. The Cardinals did improve, Murray looked phenomenal and Harrison Jr. looked the part of a number 1 receiver, but the team still has a bit to go before they can be taken seriously as a playoff contender. Their defense was 20th in yards allowed per game and 14th in rush yards allowed per game. These numbers are pretty mediocre and a huge reason that the team was held back this past season. Arizona’s offense ranked 11th in YPG and 12th in PPG. With the monster season from TE Trey McBride and a solid campaign from RB James Conner, the offense looked elite at times. However they often found themselves playing from behind making it hard for them to have run the things they wanted to. That being said, an 8-9 record isn’t all bad considering the circumstances.
The team has some guys they’ll most likely want to bring back like EDGE Brandon Browning and K Matt Prater. Beyond that though the team has an immense amount of cap space to work with. 71 million dollars in free cap which is good for the 4th most in the NFL. This gives Arizona the freedom to make some moves to sure up both sides of the ball before the draft. Arizona should look to target a receiver to pair with Marvin Harrison Jr and an edge rusher to help bolster the defense. I can see them going after someone like Tampa WR Chris Godwin or Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat. This should help to supplement both sides of the ball and set them up to fill the rest of the gaps in their roster in the draft.
The Cardinals sit at the 16th pick in the draft and should have a good amount of options at DI and EDGE. If they miss out on edge rushers in free agency then Arizona could target Texas A&M’s Nic Scournton or Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams. They could also luck into Michigan DL Kenneth Grant or Ole Miss DL Walter Nolen. I can’t see the Cardinals going any other way than defense with this pick. The offense is pretty good and though they could use another receiver there aren’t many at this spot that I would expect them to take confidently, though they could surprise me and reunite Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with former teammate MHJ. I just don’t think it will have as much impact as the other selections would.
The Cardinals are in one of the best spots a 8-9 team could be in. They have a franchise QB and number one receiver with another elite weapon at TE, and a mediocre defense with room to grow. Combine this with a king’s ransom of money to spend and a pick just outside the top 15 and it could be a franchise changing offseason in Arizona.
