When it comes to the Arizona Cardinals’ 2025 NFL Draft, most of the attention has gone to their second-round pick, Will Johnson — widely viewed as one of the biggest steals of the draft.
The Michigan cornerback didn’t hold back after being passed over by 31 other teams.
“They gon have to pay for this sh–, I promise you. Arizona finna get a dawg,” Johnson said.
But in the excitement surrounding Johnson, some may have overlooked Arizona’s first-round pick: Walter Nolen.
The former Ole Miss defensive tackle was selected 16th overall and is expected to be a foundational piece of the Cardinals’ defensive rebuild. Nolen joins a defensive front that has seen a major investment this offseason by general manager Monti Ossenfort, who also added veterans Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell, and Dalvin Tomlinson.
Nolen is now set to sign a four-year, $19.3 million deal with Arizona, per Spotrac.
While Nolen was ultimately the pick, it turns out he may not have been Arizona’s first choice.
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According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals were also strongly considering Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams in the first round.
“In the first round, the Cardinals had eyes on eventual pick Walter Nolen and pass rusher Mykel Williams, who went five spots before them. It feels as if they were going defensive line regardless,” Fowler wrote.
Williams was selected by the San Francisco 49ers at No. 11. Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (No. 13) and Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (No. 15) were also taken just ahead of Nolen. Arizona doubled down in the trenches by drafting Oregon’s Jordan Burch in the third round.
With a bolstered defensive line, a chip-on-his-shoulder cornerback in Johnson, and a clear commitment to physicality up front, the Cardinals appear to be reshaping their identity — one tough, angry defender at a time.
