If you read my previous two articles on the Arizona Cardinals which was the 2025 pre-draft preview of the team as well as the post draft offensive preview of the team. You could see that I felt that they were a very good but not a great offensive team and an average defensive team. In order for them to become a contender next season, Arizona would have to see improvement offensively and become a great offensive team. In addition to it they would need to see noticeable improvement on the defensive side of things as well. Arizona has a defensive minded head coach in Jonathan Gannon who started with the team in the 2023 season along with his defensive coordinator in Nick Rallis starting with Arizona that same year with him. In that first season, Arizona struggled mightily defensively allowing the 2nd most points in the league. This past season in 2024, which was the second season with those leading the way for the defense, Arizona saw some improvements defensively but were still just an average to a mediocre caliber defensive team in 2024. Given head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defensive background, he will be on the clock to have his defense produce at a strong level in year 3. I will begin my assessment of the Cardinals on the defensive side of things by first providing Arizona’s major defensive ranks during the 2024 season.
Arizona Cardinals 2024 Major Defensive Metrics
15th in points per game allowed
21st in yards per game allowed
23rd in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
On the bright side of things Arizona defensively went from the 31st ranked scoring defense in the first season of the Gannon era to then the 15th ranked scoring defense in the NFL in year 2 of the Gannon era. Points allowed is the most important metric for measuring success on the defensive side of things and the Cardinals ranked slightly above average in that regard during 2024 while showing a substantial improvement in that metric from year 1 to year 2 of the Gannon era. On the downside of things, Arizona in totality was still just an average to a mediocre caliber defensive team over the course of the 2024 season. While Arizona, in the first two seasons being led by defensive minded head coach Jonathan Gannon has in totality been one of the weaker defensive teams in the NFL. The presence of Gannon as a defensive minded head coach along with his defensive coordinator in Nick Rallis being by his side since the start of his Arizona tenure, obviously played a large part in the Cardinals’ defensive success or lack thereof the past two seasons. However, the personnel that Arizona has fielded for the past two seasons has also gone a long way towards dictating the output of the Cardinals’ defense of the past two years. I have conducted an analysis of the Cardinals’ defensive personnel for the past two seasons below. I have gone unit by unit and I have provided the defense grade that each player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. In addition to that grade, I have also provided my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong I feel they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season.
Arizona Cardinals 2024 Front Seven
Interior Defensive Line
DL – L.J Collier – (112/146) defense grade in 2024 over 588 snaps, C
DL – Dante Stills – (76/146) defense grade in 2024 over 532 snaps, C
DL – Roy Lopez – (86/146) defense grade in 2024 over 464 snaps, C to C+
DL – Naquan Jones – (51/146) defense grade in 2024 over 260 snaps, C to C+
DL – Khyris Tonga – (62/146) defense grade in 2024 over 229 snaps, B to B+
DL – Darius Robinson – (113/146) defense grade in 2024 over 184 snaps, C so far as 2024 first round pick
DL – Bilal Nichols – (145/146) defense grade in 2024 over 173 snaps, C to C+
DL – Ben Stille – (115/146) defense grade in 2024 over 106 snaps, C
DL – Justin Jones – (146/146) defense grade in 2024 over 100 snaps, C to C+
DL – Angelo Blackson – only 23 snaps in 2024, C
Edge Defenders
ED – Zaven Collins – (32/135) defense grade in 2024 over 600 snaps, C+
ED – Julian Okwara – (76/135) defense grade in 2024 over 286 snaps, C to C+
ED – Baron Browning – (96/135) defense grade in 2024 over 378 snaps, C to C+
ED – Dennis Gardeck – (32/135) defense grade in 2024 over 206 snaps, B
ED – Victor Dimukeje – (26/135) defense grade in 2024 over 157 snaps, C to C+
ED – Jesse Luketa – (40/135) defense grade in 2024 over 188 snaps, C to C+
ED – Xavier Thomas – (135/135) defense grade in 2024 over 208 snaps, D so far as ’24 5th rd
Linebackers
LB – Kyzir White – (84/92) defense grade in 2024 over 1015 snaps, C+
LB – Mack Wilson Sr – (50/92) defense grade in 2024 over 760 snaps, C+
LB – Kry Barnes – (51/92) defense grade in 2024 over 205 snaps, C to C-
LB – Owen Pappoe – (51/92) defense grade in 2024 over 131 snaps, C
Arizona Cardinals 2024 Key Front Seven Metrics
20th in rushing yards per game
19th in run-defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
30th in pass-rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
15th in sacks
As you can see from this final set of data along with the personnel of the team which I outlined, the Cardinals struggled in the front seven in the 2024 campaign. Out of 21 players I listed, Arizona only had 2 players who I evaluated to be in the B range or higher in terms of overall capabilities. While only having 6 players out of 21 rank above average in terms of an overall defense grade in 2024 according to Pro Football Focus. The Arizona Cardinals’ front seven talent during the 2024 season was amongst the weakest in the NFL. The fact that the Cardinals were still able to have their front seven produce at a respectable rate this past season, ranking just slightly below average in two of the three above listed metrics and slightly above average in another, goes to show you that head coach Jonathan Gannon does seem to know what he is doing. Headed into next season, addressing the lack of talent in the front seven was a key point of emphasis this offseason for the franchise and Arizona has added several strong players to their front seven lineup this offseason. Arizona’s projected front seven lineup headed into the 2025 season can be found below.
Arizona Cardinals Projected 2025 Front Seven Lineup
LDE – Josh Sweat – B to B+
DL – Walter Nolen – 2025 first round pick
DL – Dalvin Tomlinson – B+
RDE – Justin Jones – C to C+
WLB – Mack Wilson Sr – C+
MLB – Akeem Davis-Gaither – C to C+
SLB – Baron Browning – C to C+
The Cardinals as of now still project to have a below average starting front seven lineup headed into the 2025 season but one that is better than last year’s starting lineup. They have added veterans Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson who have consistently been above average to well above average NFL players throughout their careers. They also have spent a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on rookie Walter Nolen who is currently in line to start for them as well. As of now the Cardinals’ starting front seven is still questionable because of four average to mediocre caliber players currently in line to start, along with Walter Nolen still being just a rookie. However, the Cardinals have also made some key additions to their front seven reserve unit, players who could eventually transition to a starting role. The projected 2025 Arizona Cardinals’ reserve front seven unit is below which includes multiple key additions the team made this offseason.
2025 Projected Arizona Cardinals Front Seven Reserves
ED – Zaven Collins – C+ to B-
DL – Calais Campbell – B+ to A-
DL – P.J Mustipher – D-
DL – Darius Robinson – D+ to C- so far as 2024 first rounder
LB – Owen Pappoe – C
LB – J.J Russell – B to B+ in very limited snaps
ED – Xavier Thomas – D- so far as 2024 fifth rounder
ED – B.J Ojulari – C so far in one season of snaps as 2023 second rounder
DL – Bilal Nichols – C+
DL – Elijah Simmons – UDFA 2025
ED- Jordan Burch – 2025 third rounder
LB – Mykal Walker – C+
LB – Cody Simon – 2025 fourth rounder
LB – Elliot Brown – UDFA 2025
ED – Dante Stills – C+
ED – L.J Collier – C
LB – Vi Jones – B to B+ in very limited snaps
DL – Patrick Jones – UDFA 2025
As you can see from the above the Cardinals have several players they added to their front seven this offseason who are currently listed as reserves but have the potential next season to start for the team in the front seven. Arizona has added three time all-pro veteran Calais Campbell who, although he is approaching the age of 40, is still producing at a pro bowl caliber level. Given his age, he is currently slated to come off the bench for Arizona next season but I would imagine there is a strong chance that he eventually transitions to the starting lineup. Zaven Collins is a former first round pick in 2021 who has been with the Cardinals his whole career. Collins as a former first rounder has had his ups and downs in the NFL but has proven from time to time that he was indeed worthy of being selected that high. Collins can potentially break out next season and provide Arizona with a very strong option in their front seven if that were to occur. Darius Robinson had a forgettable but still at times respectable rookie season as a first-round pick in 2024. Given his very high draft selection as well as his still decent play at times in his rookie season, Robinson can potentially break out next season as well. JJ Russell was signed from Tampa Bay this offseason and has looked strong if not very strong at times in a reserve role for the Buccaneers. If Russell can maintain or improve upon his level of play in a larger sample of snaps for Arizona, it would bode the front seven well. B.J Ojulari was a second-round pick before the 2023 draft and had a decent rookie season. Ojulari, however, missed the entirety of the 2024 season due to injury but given his high draft standing and his solid rookie season, he is also a candidate to break out next season on the Arizona front seven. Newly acquired linebacker Vi Jones from the Bucs has also looked strong in very limited snaps in the NFL and has the potential to emerge as a very strong player in extended snaps. Outside of the above listed players the Cardinals also have some other players who have the potential to emerge as strong front seven options. Players such as Mykal Walker, Dante Stills, and Arizona’s third and fourth round draft picks during the 2024 season.
The Cardinals’ front seven during the 2024 season was one of the weakest in the NFL in terms of talent and also produced at a below average level. Headed into next season, the Cardinals in my estimation certainly have what it takes to do a 180 and have a very good if not a great front seven next year. They have added three veteran players who they can bank on to give them very strong production in Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Calais Campbell. They also have several other players such as former first rounders Zaven Collins and Darius Robinson along with the likes of J.J Russell, Vi Jones, and B.J Ojulari and some others who have the potential to be strong contributors up front as well. The success that Arizona sees in their front seven will be directly correlated to how well young players who have shown potential, but who have lacked consistency, indeed play. Arizona could have a very good bordering on great front seven in 2024, but they also could have a front seven that is not much better than what they had last season. How much Arizona’s young front seven players come into their own will dictate which end of the spectrum the Cardinals fall on next season. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Cardinals’ secondary in 2024 and headed into next season as well, which can be found below.
2024 Arizona Cardinals Secondary
Cornerbacks
CB – Garrett Williams – (5/128) defense grade in 2024 over 778 snaps, A-
CB – Starling Thomas V – (78/128) defense grade in 2024 over 817 snaps, C
CB – Max Melton – (104/128) defense grade in 2024 over 565 snaps, C so far as ’24 2nd rd
CB – Sean Murphy-Bunting – (95/128) defense grade in 2024 over 725 snaps, C+
CB – Kei’Trel Clark – (24/128) defense grade in 2024 over 97 snaps, C to C+
Safeties
S – Budda Baker – (10/104) defense grade in 2024 over 1064 snaps, B to B+
S – Jalen Thompson – (34/104) defense grade in 2024 over 941 snaps, B to B-
S – Dadrion Taylor-Demerson – (16/104) defense grade in 2024 over 258 snaps, B+ so far as 2024 fourth round rookie
S – Joey Blount – (42/104) defense grade in 2024 over 20 snaps, B- in very limited snaps
S – Darren Hall – only 7 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
S – Andre Chachere – only 3 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
2024 Arizona Cardinals Key Secondary Metrics
14th in passing yards per game allowed
17th in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
The Cardinals based on these last two metrics produced at a solid clip in the back end of their defense this past 2024 season. The Cardinals had a ton of raw talent in their secondary this past season and fans should be optimistic that the secondary can produce at an elite level next season. The Cardinals’ safety unit during the 2024 season was amongst the most talented in the NFL. The Cardinals’ cornerback unit was led by standout Garrett Williams who graded amongst the best overall cornerbacks in the NFL this past season. The rest of the corners outside of Williams left much to be desired, however. Headed into next season, the Cardinals have retained their top five safeties and 2024 rookie safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is only in line to improve, so the Cardinals are in line to field perhaps an elite safety unit next season. In terms of the corners, standout Garrett Williams remains on the team and Arizona is hoping that young players can step their game up in support of Williams in the cornerback unit. Young players such as 2025 second round pick Will Johnson, Starling Thomas V who is headed into year three in the NFL after showing a large improvement from year 1 to year 2, a young player such as 2024 second rounder Max Melton who had a respectable rookie season, along with 2024 third rounder Elijah Jones who did not play as a rookie. The Cardinals have some other players as well who have the potential to step up for the Cardinals in their cornerback unit in support of Garrett Williams. Given the surplus of talent that Arizona has at safety, it is very possible that head coach Jonathan Gannon moves over one of the talented safeties to corner. The Cardinals’ projected secondary lineup for 2025 can be found below.
2025 Projected Arizona Cardinals Starting Secondary
LCB – Will Johnson – 2025 second round pick
SS – Jalen Thompson – B to B-
FS – Budda Baker – B to B+
RCB – Starling Thomas V – C
NB – Garrett Williams – A-
2025 Projected Arizona Cardinals Secondary Reserves
CB – Jaylon Jones – C to C+
SS – Dadrion Taylor-Demerson – B+ in very limited snaps as 2024 fourth round rookie
FS – Joey Blount – B to B- in very limited snaps
CB – Max Melton – C to C- in very limited snaps as 2024 second round rookie
NB – Darren Hall – C to C+
CB – Kei’Trel Clark – C to C+
SS – Kitan Crawford – 2025 seventh round pick
FS – Jammie Robinson – D+ to C-
CB – Denzel Burke – 2025 fifth round pick
NB – Jaden Davis – 2024 seventh round pick, 0 career snaps
CB – Ekow Boye-Doe – C+ in 15 career snaps
CB – Elijah Jones – 2024 third round pick, 0 career snaps
Much of what I alluded to is exemplified by the above lineup for Arizona headed into the 2025 season. Three of the five starting positions in the secondary are accounted for by strong players in standouts Garrett Williams, Budda Baker, and Jalen Thompson. The first two cornerback spots remain a concern however and Arizona is banking on a 2025 first round pick and Starling Thomas V who is headed into year three to give them strong production at the two positions. As of now I have my question marks about that pairing as Will Johnson is still far too young as a rookie and Thomas V has not proven to be anything more than just an average to a mediocre caliber NFL player. Perhaps a few of the aforementioned players who are currently listed as reserves but who have a ton of potential can eventually step into the starting lineup. As of now the Cardinals have one of the most purely talented secondaries in the league and it is just a matter of whether or not the young players can really come into their own. If they do then Arizona could have an elite back-end defense in the 2025 season.
Overall, the Cardinals on the defensive side of the ball were a very average to a mediocre caliber defensive team this past season. Which is concerning given head coach Jonthan Gannon’s defensive background. However, there is far too much to be optimistic about heading into the 2025 season. Although I have my doubts about Gannon as a head coach, I am of the mindset that he is a very strong defensive mind given Philadelphia’s drastic defensive drop off the first year after his departure as the defensive coordinator of the Eagles. The Cardinals’ front seven defensive personnel was amongst the league’s weakest in the 2024 season but they have added several players with a very high ceiling to that front seven this offseason. The Cardinals had a talented secondary but one that was too young and still needed some patch work. Headed into next season, the young players will continue to grow and Arizona has added some nice players to their defensive backfield as well this offseason cycle.
Headed into next season, if the Cardinals have indeed hired a strong defensive minded head coach in Jonathan Gannon. Then there is no reason that with him headed into year 3 as the head coach of the team that the Cardinals shouldn’t be elite defensively especially with all the assets they have poured into the defense this offseason. The Cardinals have amongst the league’s most talented defenses and a defensive minded head coach headed into year 3 on the job. With that being said, if the Cardinals do not field an elite defense next season, or at least a top ten defense, major questions will be asked of defensive minded head coach Jonathan Gannon. I fully expect the Cardinals to have a top five caliber defense next season and at worst a top ten caliber defense.
