What were the most common themes of the Cardinals’ 2025 draft?
There is much to glean from what the Arizona Cardinals’ assistant GM Dave Sears told Paul Calvisi during his recent post-draft interview on The Big Red Rage Podcast.
For those of you who have not yet viewed the podcast, here is the link:
Dave Sears on Walter Nolen III, DT, Mississippi
- Walter Nolen was not a “roll of the dice” for us —- “his tape isn’t a roll of the dice” —- “we spent enough time during the process (at the Senior Bowl and during Walter’s Top 30 visit to Arizona) that we felt very comfortable with him as a person.”
- “Aggressive, violent, quick, disruptive player who has the versatility to play anywhere from 5 to 0 technique.”
Let’s have some interactive fun on this.
We are going to assign an ROTB member to highlight what Dave Sears revealed about the following players (post your highlights in the comment section —- plus, for extra credit, please share your own thoughts about the player):
- Will Johnson, CB, Michigan —- RedC
- Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon —- Jethro Bodine
- Cory Simon, LB, Ohio St. —- SunDevil99
- Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio St. —- RyanMac7
- Hayden Conner, G, Texas —- since61
For everyone else, pick one of these 5 draft picks (Rounds 2-6) and tell us your thoughts about the player. Let’s do a deep dive here.
Here is mine:
Kitan Crawford, S, Nevada, 5-11, 202
Dave Sears was not asked about Kitan Crawford; thus I am going to predict what Sears would have said and then add my own thoughts:
Texas transfer to Nevada who played an outstanding brand of safety for Nevada in 2024.
Has played over 1,000 special teams’ snaps throughout his college career.
2024 stats: 76 tackles (led team), 3 TFLs, 2 INTs with 1 returned for TD (52-yard pick-six vs. Oregon St.), 7 PBUs, FF, 88.8 pass coverage grade (PFF)
Was the overall 2nd highest graded safety (Athleticism Grade of 89 per nfl.com) at the Combine, posting these measurables:
- 40 —- 4.41
- 10-yard split —- 1.52
- Vertical —- 41,5”
- Broad —- 10’ 8”
- 3-Cone —- 6.81
- 20-yard Shuttle —- 4.03
- 225 reps —- 18
- Lance Zierlein of nfl.com projected Kitan Crawford as a 4th or 5th round pick.
When I had heard of the Cardinals’ interest in Kitan Crawford during the pre-draft, the more I watched his tape and researched his background, the more excited I became. I had been mocking him to the Cardinals in Round 7 but was worried he would be taken earlier on Day 3.
On the 2nd play of the video, check out the textbook way he breaks down and wraps up to make the tackle for loss.
Check out his two interceptions, the first being his pick six versus Oregon St.
Check out how fluidly he runs with the ball in his hands.
Check out the pass breakups he makes from the slot.
When I go to a player’s tape, the first thing I always try to assess is the player’s feet. Check out Kitan’s feet. He’s nifty. I was able to check off that box right from the get-go.
Kitan is going to have to add more strength to play in the box in the NFL. He dogs his man from the slot and on runs and screens he gets downhill to the ball very quickly. As a rookie, Kitan could be a key contributor on special teams and has the daily opportunity to embrace and learn from Budda Baker’s keen understanding of the position.
Dave Sears revealed two key themes:
- The Cardinals were surprised and delighted to see that each player they selected was on the board when the team was on the clock.
- The Cardinals selected the player in each round that was #1 on their board. They didn’t necessarily come into the draft thinking their first 5 picks would be on defensive players, yet they stuck to their board.
Kudos, as usual, to Paul Calvisi for conducting such an informational, eye-opening interview.