Another pass rusher to Arizona Cardinals in new mock draft

[ASFN Admin]

The Arizona Cardinals signed Josh Sweat to a four-year deal in free agency to improve their pass rush. However, that doesn't mean they will not consider the position in the NFL draft. Considering the price of top veteran pass rushers, it would be wise for the Cardinals to add production on a rookie contract.

That's why NFL.com's Mike Band has the Cardinals going with a pass rusher with the 16th pick of the 2025 NFL in his new mock draft.

He has the Cardinals taking Tennessee edge defender James Pearce Jr.

Arizona signed Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract in free agency and brought back Baron Browning on a two-year deal, but we should not assume head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort are done adding pieces to the pass rush. The Cardinals have listed Sweat and Browning as linebackers on their official roster, an indication they covet scheme-flexible edge defenders who can stand up or put a hand in the dirt. Pearce, who displayed relentless pursuit at Tennessee, perfectly fits that mold, bringing the burst Gannon seems to look for off the edge. Should Arizona pivot to the interior, Michigan's Kenneth Grant and Oregon's Derrick Harmon would presumably be on the short list as scheme fits.

Per Band, the odds the Cardinals take a defensive lineman or edge defender is 34%, while they are 25% for an offensive lineman 16% for a cornerback and 10% for a linebacker.

What we know in two drafts for the Cardinals under Ossenfort is that he likes players from well known programs and that he will go with premium value at premium picks.

The NFL draft begins April 24 in Green Bay.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals likely to take defensive lineman

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