The 2025 NFL Draft was filled with surprises, trades, and bold moves across the board, but for the Arizona Cardinals, the strategy was clear well before the first pick was announced. Multiple sources close to the organization confirmed that Arizona had its sights set firmly on two elite defensive talents: Texas A&M’s Walter Nolen and Georgia’s Mykel Williams. The franchise had identified both as key pieces capable of transforming its defensive line and altering the long-term trajectory of the team’s front seven.
Heading into the draft, Arizona held a mid-first-round selection—slotted outside the top ten but still in range to make an impact. General manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon, both entering a pivotal phase in their tenure, knew they had to maximize the value of their selection. With the team showing flashes of promise last season but still lacking a disruptive force on the defensive line, the Cardinals evaluated the board and zeroed in on two names that kept resurfacing: Walter Nolen and Mykel Williams.
Nolen, once regarded as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 class, had a dominant final season at Texas A&M. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in around 315 pounds, his mix of size, athleticism, and explosiveness made him a constant problem for opposing offensive lines. Nolen racked up sacks, tackles for loss, and consistent pressure, proving he could play both the run and pass with authority. Scouts praised his quick first step, elite hand usage, and ability to win matchups in one-on-one situations—a trait the Cardinals have sorely lacked on the interior.
Meanwhile, Mykel Williams from Georgia brought a slightly different but equally tantalizing skill set. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Williams played with the length and bend of an elite edge rusher while also having the strength to hold up against the run. He was a fixture in Georgia’s front, consistently applying pressure and showcasing the versatility to line up inside or out. With a motor that never quit and elite SEC production, Williams made a compelling case to be a top-tier NFL pass rusher for years to come.
Internally, the Cardinals’ scouting department believed either player would be a game-changer in the desert. In war room discussions leading up to the draft, Arizona’s decision-makers weighed trade-up scenarios, ran through countless simulations, and tried to anticipate the moves of other teams—especially those in the top ten. Ossenfort reportedly made calls to teams picking as high as No. 7, exploring packages that would allow them to jump into prime position should either Nolen or Williams begin to slip. The team was willing to be aggressive, but only if the board fell in their favor.
Despite their aggressive mindset, Arizona ultimately opted to remain patient and let the board come to them. As expected, the top quarterbacks and offensive tackles flew off early, along with a few surprise picks that reshuffled projections across the league. When the Cardinals finally came on the clock, the team faced a pivotal decision. Nolen was already off the board—snagged just a few picks earlier—but Williams was still available, sitting there as the best player on their board.
According to sources familiar with the team’s draft room, there was a brief but intense debate between Williams and another high-upside offensive player, but Gannon’s defensive background and Ossenfort’s long-term vision aligned: this team needed a cornerstone on the defensive side of the ball. They selected Mykel Williams, securing a player they believe has Pro Bowl potential and can anchor their defense for the next decade.
After the pick was made, Gannon spoke glowingly about Williams in his post-draft press conference, saying, “We needed someone who could change the math up front. Mykel has that type of talent. He’s long, explosive, and relentless. He fits exactly what we’re trying to build.” Williams, visibly excited when interviewed after the selection, said he had a strong pre-draft meeting with Arizona and felt like it would be a good fit all along. “They made me feel like a priority. I could tell they really believed in me,” Williams said. “I’m ready to get to work.”
Had Nolen fallen a bit further, it’s possible the Cardinals might have pulled the trigger on a trade up. While they didn’t land him, the interest was very real. One league executive said Arizona “did everything short of making a formal offer” once Nolen started slipping past the eighth pick. That level of interest underscores how seriously they took both players as foundational options.
The Williams pick is part of a broader philosophical shift in Arizona. Under Gannon, the Cardinals are moving toward a more aggressive, versatile, and physical defensive identity. Last season, the team struggled to generate consistent pressure, and opponents often found success running between the tackles. By investing in a player like Williams—who has both the technique and the raw athleticism to impact the game in multiple ways—the Cardinals are sending a message that they’re serious about retooling the trenches.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Arizona has targeted elite defensive linemen early in the draft. In 2023, they selected LSU’s BJ Ojulari in the second round, and while Ojulari showed flashes, the team clearly wanted more firepower up front. The addition of Williams could help unlock the potential of those already on the roster, allowing players like Ojulari and Zaven Collins to operate more freely.
The ripple effects of the pick go beyond just the defensive line. A dominant pass rush helps the entire defense—from linebackers who don’t have to shed as many blocks, to defensive backs who can capitalize on rushed throws. It also takes pressure off of quarterback Kyler Murray and the offense, providing more margin for error and improving field position. In that way, the Williams selection is both a short-term upgrade and a long-term investment.
While some fans had hoped the Cardinals would select a flashy offensive weapon—perhaps a wide receiver to pair with Murray—the team felt confident in its current offensive core and saw the draft’s depth at skill positions as a reason to address defense first. That decision may not generate as many headlines, but it could prove to be the wiser long-term play.
It’s also a sign of trust in Murray and the offensive coaching staff. Rather than give in to the temptation of loading up on offense, Arizona chose to balance the roster and address one of its most pressing needs. The front office’s ability to resist overreaction and stick to its board could be a key step in establishing long-term stability—something the franchise has lacked in recent years.
As for Walter Nolen, he landed with a team equally excited about his potential. Though Arizona didn’t land him, they’ll likely cross paths with the former Aggie soon enough. Nolen’s combination of size and burst makes him a nightmare matchup for any offensive line, and he’ll be one to watch as both he and Williams begin their NFL journeys.
Drafts are always measured in hindsight. What looks like a savvy pick today could be a miss tomorrow, and vice versa. But if the Cardinals are right about Mykel Williams—and if their evaluations of both Williams and Nolen prove correct—they may look back on the 2025 draft as the moment their defense turned the corner. There’s no denying the intention. Arizona went into the draft with a laser focus on upgrading their front, and they walked away with one of the most talented edge rushers in the class.
Only time will tell if Williams lives up to the hype and becomes the cornerstone Arizona envisions. But one thing is clear: the Cardinals were locked in, they had a plan, and they stuck to it. And in a draft where chaos often reigns, that alone is worth recognizing.