One final mock from me before the draft happens in a couple of weeks. I really believe that the Cardinals still tap into the great depth along the DL in this draft even though they have added several players through FA recently. This draft is just too deep to not take advantage of that depth:
Trade #1: Houston trades with the Cardinals for the #16 overall pick in order to grab a WR to pair with Nico Collins. The Cardinals trade (#16, and #152) for the Houston (#25, #79, #89).
So the Cardinals end up with the following picks in the 2025 NFL draft:
#25 (Houston)
#47
#78
#79 (Houston)
#89 (Houston)
#115
#225
#25 (from Houston) - Nic Scourton - EDGE - Texas A&M
6'3" 257 lbs
Scourton is a young powerful edge rusher who is very strong as setting the edge. While Scourton doesn't have the speed to blow past offensive tackles, he uses several pass rush moves to get to the QB. Scourton is still very young and will need some time to develop. However he will instantly be a part of the rotation and he will get more playing time as he gains experience.
#47 - Donovan Jackson - G - OSU
6'4" 315 lbs
With the Cardinals bringing in OL Coach Justin Frye from OSU, it makes sense that they might tap into that Buckeye talent pool for a third year in a row. Frye's familiarity with Jackson makes this pick a no brainer. Jackson's athleticism scores were off the charts at the combine. He will provide the Cardinals with a guard who can pull and move to make the Blocks that the Cardinals love to run.
#78 - Jalen Royals - WR - Utah St
6'0" 205 lbs
I had the Cardinals taking Royals later in the 3rd in my last mock draft but think he might go earlier than that so I moved him up to the #78 pick. The Cardinals select Royals who is a deceptively fast WR with solid size. Royals was a pass catching machine at Utah St. He is a major threat with the ball in his hands and is difficult to tackle. He will push for the #3 WR spot fairly early in his career.
#79 - Darius Alexander - DT - Toledo
6'4" 305 lbs
The 2025 NFL draft is one of the deepest in year at the DL position. It would be a shame if the Cardinals didn't take advantage of the depth. By grabbing the second Darius in two years at DT, the Cardinals add another young physical defender on the inside. With 34" arms, Alexander can keep blockers from locking onto him. He will start as a rotational guy that provides a ton of depth along the defensive front which Gannon and Rallis covet.
#89 - Charles Grant - OT - William & Mary
6'5" 311lbs
Grant is a massive OT with long arms. He is very athletic for a man his size. Coming from a small school makes him a bit of a question mark as to how he will perform vs better talent. However he has all of the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. He will probably need a year or two of seasoning before he might be able to start.
#115 - Cam Skattebo - RB - ASU
5'9" 219 lbs
The Local Hero stays home to play for the Cardinals. If the Cardinals were looking for additional buzz to enter the 2025 season with they just hit a home run. The Valley will be a buzz with Skattebo jersey's flying off the shelves. But it is much more than buzz, Skattebo is a beast in the running game. His low center of gravity makes it very difficult to get him down on the ground. A slow 40 time from his pro day allows the Cardinals to snag him in the 4th round. The Cardinals will be in good hands when Conner eventually moves on with Benson and Skattebo waiting in the wings.
#225 - Jay Higgins - ILB - Iowa
6'0" 244 lbs
I'm not super familiar with Higgins. I think I recognized his name from one of Harry's lists and he fit a need with the Cardinals that I hadn't filled yet. It's a 7th round pick and I got lazy. :^)
Trade #1: Houston trades with the Cardinals for the #16 overall pick in order to grab a WR to pair with Nico Collins. The Cardinals trade (#16, and #152) for the Houston (#25, #79, #89).
So the Cardinals end up with the following picks in the 2025 NFL draft:
#25 (Houston)
#47
#78
#79 (Houston)
#89 (Houston)
#115
#225
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#25 (from Houston) - Nic Scourton - EDGE - Texas A&M
6'3" 257 lbs
Scourton is a young powerful edge rusher who is very strong as setting the edge. While Scourton doesn't have the speed to blow past offensive tackles, he uses several pass rush moves to get to the QB. Scourton is still very young and will need some time to develop. However he will instantly be a part of the rotation and he will get more playing time as he gains experience.
#47 - Donovan Jackson - G - OSU
6'4" 315 lbs
With the Cardinals bringing in OL Coach Justin Frye from OSU, it makes sense that they might tap into that Buckeye talent pool for a third year in a row. Frye's familiarity with Jackson makes this pick a no brainer. Jackson's athleticism scores were off the charts at the combine. He will provide the Cardinals with a guard who can pull and move to make the Blocks that the Cardinals love to run.
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#78 - Jalen Royals - WR - Utah St
6'0" 205 lbs
I had the Cardinals taking Royals later in the 3rd in my last mock draft but think he might go earlier than that so I moved him up to the #78 pick. The Cardinals select Royals who is a deceptively fast WR with solid size. Royals was a pass catching machine at Utah St. He is a major threat with the ball in his hands and is difficult to tackle. He will push for the #3 WR spot fairly early in his career.
You must be registered for see images attach
#79 - Darius Alexander - DT - Toledo
6'4" 305 lbs
The 2025 NFL draft is one of the deepest in year at the DL position. It would be a shame if the Cardinals didn't take advantage of the depth. By grabbing the second Darius in two years at DT, the Cardinals add another young physical defender on the inside. With 34" arms, Alexander can keep blockers from locking onto him. He will start as a rotational guy that provides a ton of depth along the defensive front which Gannon and Rallis covet.
You must be registered for see images attach
#89 - Charles Grant - OT - William & Mary
6'5" 311lbs
Grant is a massive OT with long arms. He is very athletic for a man his size. Coming from a small school makes him a bit of a question mark as to how he will perform vs better talent. However he has all of the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. He will probably need a year or two of seasoning before he might be able to start.
You must be registered for see images attach
#115 - Cam Skattebo - RB - ASU
5'9" 219 lbs
The Local Hero stays home to play for the Cardinals. If the Cardinals were looking for additional buzz to enter the 2025 season with they just hit a home run. The Valley will be a buzz with Skattebo jersey's flying off the shelves. But it is much more than buzz, Skattebo is a beast in the running game. His low center of gravity makes it very difficult to get him down on the ground. A slow 40 time from his pro day allows the Cardinals to snag him in the 4th round. The Cardinals will be in good hands when Conner eventually moves on with Benson and Skattebo waiting in the wings.
You must be registered for see images attach
#225 - Jay Higgins - ILB - Iowa
6'0" 244 lbs
I'm not super familiar with Higgins. I think I recognized his name from one of Harry's lists and he fit a need with the Cardinals that I hadn't filled yet. It's a 7th round pick and I got lazy. :^)
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