The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. 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 analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Arizona Cardinals and preview how it might perform this season.
Arizona Cardinals 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
Arizona struggled to stop the run in 2025, allowing 4.8 yards per running back carry (27th) and 3.38 yards before contact on those runs (27th). They did a good job adding depth to the defensive front in free agency, signing Roy Lopez, Andrew Billings, and Jonah Williams. They also have 2025 first-round pick Walter Nolen, whom they will hope for more from after he was limited to six games last season.
Despite putting resources into the pass rush last offseason, the Cardinals finished 27th in pressure rate and 28th in sacks. To be fair to Josh Sweat, he did his part, recording a 13.9% pressure rate and 12 sacks in his first season with the team, though there have been trade rumors about him this offseason. Zaven Collins only logged 1.5 sacks on somewhat limited opportunities, but he did have a strong 14.2% pressure rate. It was a similar story for Baron Browning, who had 2 sacks but a 13.8% pressure rate.
Akeem Davis-Gaither left in free agency after one season with the Cardinals, opening up a hole at linebacker. Mack Wilson is back after playing just eight games last season. He has been solid over his two years with the Cardinals, allowing a 79.7 quarterback rating in his coverage, but he can’t do it alone. The Cardinals could be betting on a step forward for Cody Simon, a fourth-round pick last year who played 564 snaps as a rookie.
Arizona gave up 7.2 yards per pass attempt last season (22nd) while finishing 29th in EPA allowed per pass attempt. The Cardinals appear to have hit on 2025 second-round pick Will Johnson, who had some ups and downs in his 12 rookie games but also had 10 pass breakups in those contests. Behind Johnson, Arizona has a lot of options, but it is unclear if any of them are starting quality.
Garrett Williams landed on injured reserve early last season because of a knee injury, and he suffered an Achilles tear late in the year, putting his availability for Week 1 in question. Sean Murphy-Bunting missed all of last season with a knee injury suffered in the offseason, and Starling Thomas joined him on the sidelines because of an ACL tear early in camp. Those injuries opened the path for 2025 fifth-round pick Denzel Burke, who allowed just 6.9 yards per target across 679 snaps.
Jalen Thompson left in free agency, but Budda Baker is back to once again lead this safety group. With Thompson gone, Arizona brought in Andrew Wingard in free agency. Wingard should compete with Dadrion Taylor-Demerson for the starting job opposite Baker. A fourth-round pick in 2024, Taylor-Demerson only allowed a 58.3 quarterback rating in his coverage last season.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
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- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
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- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams