2025 Draft Grades

[Goodyear Card]

2025 NFL Offseason: Arizona Cardinals – WalterFootball

walterfootball.com

 

[Shane]

Straight As

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

So far I give it an A, monti has reshaped this defensive unit from one of the most talent depleted, gutted, barebones unit into a squad with potential blue chip talent at multiple positions and an unusual deep roster filled with depth should guys go down. We’ve got a full season to actually watch and see if it pans out- but the moves broadcast a team thirsty for the playoffs this year and a higher bar of play to be expected when playing Arizona

 

[BullheadCardFan]

2025 NFL Offseason: Arizona Cardinals – WalterFootball

walterfootball.com

16. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss – A- Grade

"Walter Nolen was projected by many to go No. 11. I saw some even have him as high as No. 8. Nolen is one of the most talented players in this class. He has insane upside, but there are some questions about his work ethic. I’d have an issue with this pick if it were made in the top 10 with so many other great prospects available, but Nolen is arguably the best player on the board."

Some high praise here

 

[az jam]

Winners per NFL.Com
Jonathan Gannon, head coach, Arizona Cardinals: Gannon is quietly building this team into a real contender, and this draft will go a long way toward helping that cause. In the first round, Arizona grabbed defensive tackle Walter Nolen, who can be a disruptive pass rusher in the interior of the defensive line. The bargain came in the second round, when Michigan cornerback Will Johnson was still on the board to be taken with the 47th overall pick. Concerns about a knee issue might have caused Johnson to slide out of the first round, but he brings real value to Gannon's defense. Johnson made a ton of plays in college and has the instincts and ball skills to make an impact as a rookie. Throw in the selection of edge rusher Jordan Burch in the third round, and you can see what the Cardinals wanted to accomplish in this draft. This team looks a lot better on defense today.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I love that were all in on defense, and it's going to be fascinating to see what JG/NR can cook up with a massive infusion of talent on this side of the ball. What's the ceiling for the defense this year? Top ten in scoring? Top five?

Lots more young, talented players like GWill and Stills for them to coach up and develop.

And the truth is that the offense wasn't that bad last year, and if MHJ takes a couple of steps forward in 2025, it could be a top ten unit this season. As discussed ad nauseum, it's more about my boy making some plays in crunch time than anything else.

On paper, it looks like a nine or ten win team, but MO has rebuilt the roster without mortgaging the future.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I love that were all in on defense, and it's going to be fascinating to see what JG/NR can cook up with a massive infusion of talent on this side of the ball. What's the ceiling for the defense this year? Top ten in scoring? Top five?

Looking forward to many 3 and outs

Goal line stands should be impressive

 

[Stout]

Monti gets an A from me. Don't know much on the later rounds, but the top of the draft was nails.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Monti gets an A from me. Don't know much on the later rounds, but the top of the draft was nails.

He gets an A- for me. We still needed a WR from somewhere and didn't get one. The top of the draft was amazing though.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I love that were all in on defense, and it's going to be fascinating to see what JG/NR can cook up with a massive infusion of talent on this side of the ball. What's the ceiling for the defense this year? Top ten in scoring? Top five?

Top 5 is probably still a pipedream. If we can get close to top 10 while improving the rush defense, we have a legit playoff opportunity.

 

[Clif2]

best value 2025 NFL draft classes

1. Falcons
2. Browns
3. Cardinals
4. Eagles
5. Giants
6. Chiefs
7. Buccaneers
8. Steelers
9. Ravens
10. Bills


Via warren sharp on x

 

[Red on White]

I liked the clear focus on one area. Gives us (and Monti and Gannon) an identity. Can't fill every hole.

If everything's important, then nothing's important

 

[CardNots]

On paper, it looks like a nine or ten win team, but MO has rebuilt the roster without mortgaging the future.

Solid assessment and maybe the most important.

A three year build plan with year three yet to unfold.

Personally I’m excited but no more than normally this time of year. Not sure I’ve seen a recent draft with so many question marks for each pick not to mention Monti’s overall draft approach.

If we crash and burn I won’t say they didn’t give it a go.

Picking middle of the pack, I give it a

B+

 

[Clif2]

A+ from pff

 

[mjb21aztd]

A plusssss plusssss puff cherry pie kush dreamin of a good season we shall see....

Even though no skateboo(((( i wish him luck in new york!

 

[AZ Native]

I love that were all in on defense, and it's going to be fascinating to see what JG/NR can cook up with a massive infusion of talent on this side of the ball. What's the ceiling for the defense this year? Top ten in scoring? Top five?

And the truth is that the offense wasn't that bad last year, and if MHJ takes a couple of steps forward in 2025, it could be a top ten unit this season.

I think he will but we also need this version of Kyler:

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[BACH]

best value 2025 NFL draft classes

1. Falcons
2. Browns
3. Cardinals
4. Eagles
5. Giants
6. Chiefs
7. Buccaneers
8. Steelers
9. Ravens
10. Bills


Via warren sharp on x

I would disqualify Falcons. Sending next years’s 1st rounder for Pierce with so many Edge players on the board was insane. The GM didn’t get the sequence right

 

[BulldogCard]

No grade yet from me, but draft just felt right. It was as if we were doing what we were supposed to be doing. Any divisional dominance will be so amazing when it happens. 49ers are getting old and unloaded, set free several, Rams are old at qb, Seahawks won't be as awesome for Darnold. This short window.. we'll see. MHJ will be good this year and Kyler finally has that big year.

 

[eastcoastDave]

No matter how you feel about the guy, our success next season rests squarely in Kyler. Last year the O-line held up and the offense scored enough points in most game to produce a win. Defense was the issue. That’s fixed through free agency and the draft. If he’s ineffective or gets hurt, I’m unsure we’ll make it to the promise land. The revamped defense should give us a chance to be competitive in every game.

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

I would disqualify Falcons. Sending next years’s 1st rounder for Pierce with so many Edge players on the board was insane. The GM didn’t get the sequence right

Of course the rams get a hoard of picks from the falcons. Was so pissed when I saw that trade. My only hope is that the falcons are in the weakest division in football and can hopefully make the playoffs to drive the value of that pick down.

Knowing Mcvays luck though- that will turn into the first pick of the draft and the rams will win the Archie manning sweepstakes

 

[Totally_Red]

Of course the rams get a hoard of picks from the falcons. Was so pissed when I saw that trade. My only hope is that the falcons are in the weakest division in football and can hopefully make the playoffs to drive the value of that pick down.

Knowing Mcvays luck though- that will turn into the first pick of the draft and the rams will win the Archie manning sweepstakes

Falcons overpaid; Giants did not.
Even last year they overpaid for Kirk and Minnesota wisely didn't. The only smart thing they did was drafting Pennix.

 

[Garthshort]

Mel Kiper gave the Cardinals a B-. And, he probably wasn't wrong in the way he looked at the Draft, as his grade was based on team needs. But, even with that I think he missed on Arizona as he had their first need as a WR. The first thing I learned as a draftnik, was that the most successful teams do NOT draft for need. And, when they do they often reach for a player rather than following their Board. If Arizona had two Boards (Offense and Defense) I would say their draft was a SUCCESS, as they seemed to go BPA.