Tempe – There is a saying in the world of professional football that the defense wins the championships.
The Cardinals of Arizona have certainly engaged in this line of thinking this offseason.
The cardinals brought notable free agents such as the outside secondary Josh Sweat and the defensive line players Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson before the draft of the NFL 2025.
During the first three series of recovery festivities, the cardinals used each of their first three choices on the defensive side of the ball – the first time in more than 30 years, Arizona has made such a feat.
The defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was quite amplified.
“He [Ossenfort] gave him [Rallis] A larger hug than when he hired me. He is excited, “said head coach Jonathan Gannon after the end of the 2nd day of the draft.
The cardinals have passed their first round choice on Ole Miss Walter Nolen’s defensive line, which provides athletic advantages and the ability to put pressure on the interior quarter.
“Disruptions. We have talked about it a lot. We wanted to have a more disruptive defensive unit. We think we have added players who can help us do so,” said Ossenfort when Nolen’s selection.
“When we find players who can affect the middle of the pocket, it puts a lot of stress in the offensive. Walter is another guy who, in our view, can help us do it, and we are really delighted to add it to our team.”
READ: Walter Nolen responds to character problems
The cardinals then chose to strengthen the secondary after writing Michigan’s corner half, Will Johnson, who took a massive shift due to concerns about a knee injury he suffered at university.
“I am on a mission now,” said Johnson to journalists after being drafted. “It really woke me up, that’s for sure.”
Day 2 finished with Oregon Edge Rusher Jordan Burch, who was taken in the third round and still believes that his best football is ahead of him.
“With the injuries of Oregon, there were things that I could have done, be able to get on the ground and do. But the sky is the limit, I will continue. I have the impression that many people have not seen everything I can do. I have the impression at this next level, I will be able to show it,” he told journalists.
Last year, the defense of cardinals ended almost on average in all major statistics, and it is true that the unit as a whole took a step forward compared to 2023 under Rallis.
The choice to add the three defensive players was not intentional, according to Ossenfort – although it is difficult not to see the obvious effort to improve this side of the ball.
And perhaps rightly, because the pursuit of cardinals of post-season dreams can only be amplified a solid defense at the three levels.
Arizona sent a clear message during this offseason – the upgrade of defense was not only a priority – it was a necessity.
So far, everything is fine in the desert.
