As the 2025 NFL Draft draws near, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a familiar but hopeful position — holding a middle-round pick that could either jumpstart their rebuild or become another footnote in a decade-long cycle of frustration. The No. 16 overall selection is critical. Get it right, and the franchise gains a cornerstone. Get it wrong, and it’s another year of what-ifs in the desert.
Arizona has talent. Kyler Murray is still young. Marvin Harrison Jr. is ready to blossom. But to elevate into real NFC West contenders, they need smart decisions — not just flashy ones. That’s why this year’s draft must be strategic, not reactionary.
Here are four prospects the Arizona Cardinals should avoid with the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, even if the hype says otherwise.
1. Edge Rusher: Tyreek Jenkins (Alabama)
Too much flash, not enough finish
It’s easy to be seduced by speed off the edge. Tyreek Jenkins checks the box with elite athleticism — a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at 6’5″, 250 pounds. Highlight reels show him flying past tackles like they’re stationary. But the problem is… that’s all there is.
Jenkins had just 4.5 sacks in his final season at Alabama and struggled to anchor against the run. His technique remains raw, and his motor is inconsistent. For the Cardinals — a team that desperately needs a consistent edge presence opposite BJ Ojulari — this pick would be style over substance.
Why Arizona should pass:
- They need a plug-and-play edge, not a long-term project.
- Arizona ranked 31st in sacks last year; they can’t wait 2-3 years for a return on this pick.
Better fit: Jared McCain (Penn State) or a trade-down to target depth.
2. WR: Jalen McKnight (USC)
Duplicate skillset, unnecessary risk
Yes, Jalen McKnight is electric. Yes, he’s one of the most agile receivers in this class. But pairing him with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride? It creates redundancy, not versatility.
McKnight thrives in the slot, relies on YAC (yards after catch), and lacks elite size at 5’10”, 180 lbs. Arizona already has Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch types — shifty, undersized, and explosive. What they need is size or a true WR2 with vertical threat capability, not another gadget receiver.
Why Arizona should pass:
- McKnight’s style mirrors Moore, which limits playbook creativity.
- The team has more pressing needs at CB, OL, and edge.
Better fit: If they must go WR, someone like Xavier Worthy (Texas) offers a complementary skillset.
3. CB: Devon Sparks (LSU)
Big school name, small-time production
Cornerback is absolutely a position of need for the Cardinals, especially in the wideout-heavy NFC West. But reaching for Devon Sparks — based on LSU’s pedigree — would be a mistake.
Sparks has size (6’2″) and speed (4.39), but struggled in man coverage throughout 2024. He was often picked apart by SEC quarterbacks and flagged for pass interference five times. On tape, he gets grabby at the top of routes and lacks the smooth hips needed for elite NFL coverage.
Why Arizona should pass:
- With Marco Wilson gone, they need someone NFL-ready, not a boom-or-bust experiment.
- Sparks screams Combine riser — not game-day gamer.
Better fit: Terrence Glenn (Iowa) or T.J. Buford (TCU) — both more polished options at CB.
4. OT: Mason Delaney (Notre Dame)
Name value doesn’t guarantee blindside protection
Mason Delaney has a lot going for him on paper — Notre Dame lineage, 6’6″ frame, and multi-year starter experience. But the tape reveals a player who’s more name than nastiness.
Delaney allowed seven sacks in his senior year — the highest among Notre Dame linemen. He often lost leverage against speed rushers and looked stiff in space. For a team like Arizona, who already whiffed on recent O-line prospects, this is not the time to roll the dice on a pass-pro teetering on the edge of mediocrity.
Why Arizona should pass:
- Kyler Murray needs a bodyguard, not a body count.
- The No. 16 pick must be reliable, not repairable.
Better fit: Javon McKinley (Georgia) or Isaiah Blair (Washington) — both with elite movement skills and upside.
Draft Strategy: Smart > Sexy
The Cardinals don’t need fireworks. They need fundamentals. In a division where you face the likes of Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford, and Geno Smith — your secondary has to hold. In a league where the trenches define success, your O-line must dominate. And when Kyler’s window is closing, you can’t afford to gamble on boom-or-bust types.
So instead of chasing combine darlings or highlight-reel dreams, Arizona must draft for balance. Depth. Intelligence. And players who fit their scheme today — not someday.
Social Buzz: Fans Want Focus
On Cardinals Twitter and Reddit, the pulse is clear — fans are tired of misses. They want leadership, both on the field and from the front office. Avoiding trap picks like Jenkins or McKnight would show that the new regime is serious about change.
Trending fan takes:
- “No more tweeners at WR, we need trenches!”
- “Give Kyler protection or give us pain.”
- “Please don’t get blinded by speed. Jenkins ain’t it.”
The fans get it. Let’s hope the war room does too.
Final Thought: Build, Don’t Bluff
With the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals have a golden opportunity to get better — right now. But that means avoiding high-risk prospects who dazzle in March but disappear in October.
Drafting well isn’t about winning headlines. It’s about winning games.
And that starts with saying no to the wrong names — even when they shine under the spotlight.
