The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role.
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Arizona Cardinals and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Arizona Cardinals Defense
The Cardinals once again struggled to stop running backs in 2024, allowing 4.7 yards per carry to the position (28th) and the most yards after contact per carry to running backs (3.6).
Arizona added a lot to the defensive line last offseason, but they had another wave of additions this year, with Dalvin Tomlinson, Calais Campbell, and first-round pick Walter Nolen joining the unit.
Tomlinson and the ageless Campbell made plays in the backfield both in the running game and as pass rushers last season, and Nolen has a lot of talent if he gets pointed in the right direction.
Arizona finished with a respectable 41 sacks, the 13th most in the league, but their 30.1% pressure rate ranked 25th among all teams in 2024.
They spent big to upgrade that pass rush in free agency, signing Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract.
Sweat has been a consistent threat off the edge over the last four years, averaging a 12.8% pressure rate and 8.3 sacks per season.
Arizona also added Jordan Burch in the third round, brought back Baron Browning, will get back 2023 second-round pick BJ Ojulari, and still has Zaven Collins, who led the team with 5 sacks last season.
The Cardinals brought in Akeem Davis–Gaither in free agency to replace Kyzir White at linebacker.
Davis-Gaither set a career high with 534 defensive snaps last season, so it remains to be seen if he can be an every-snap player.
Another new addition, Mykal Walker does not have a strong history of starting and was primarily a special teamer with the Commanders last season.
Mack Wilson is the top returner after signing with the Cardinals last offseason.
The Cardinals allowed 7.3 yards per attempt (24th) and forced just 9 interceptions (24th) last season, but they were sixth in touchdown rate allowed (3.7%).
Arizona has spent a lot at corner in the past including a 2024 second-round pick on Max Melton, a 2024 third-round pick on Elijah Jones, a 2023 third-round pick on Garrett Williams, and a three-year contract for Sean Murphy–Bunting last offseason, though Murphy-Bunting was placed on the reserve/NFI list in May.
They continued that by spending a second-round pick this year on Will Johnson, a talented corner who almost certainly would have been a first-round pick if not for some injury concerns.
The Cardinals have to feel good about where they are at safety heading into 2025, though Jalen Thompson’s pending free agency does add some long-term complications.
Budda Baker led all qualified safeties with 16 run stuffs and a tackle on 19.2% of his run defense snaps last year, and 2024 fourth-round pick Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is ready for more playing time.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2025 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2025 games
- Coaching strategic advice for teams, play calling analysis & team tendencies
- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
- Reasons to bet over/under win totals & analysis of futures betting market
- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
