The Arizona Cardinals have some big needs for their roster in 2025.

Recent NFL mock draft projections for the 2025 NFL Draft think the Cardinals' biggest needs are on defense, with the latest projections having Arizona taking an edge rusher, defensive lineman or cornerback with their first-round pick in the April NFL draft, the No. 16 overall selection.

Here's what recent NFL mock drafts are saying about the Cardinals' first pick in their 2025 NFL Draft projections.

Michigan DT Kenneth Grant and Georgia EDGE Jalon Walker are popular choices for Arizona with their April 24 first-round draft pick, but they are not the only choices in 2025 NFL mock drafts for the team.

Will one of these players end up being the Cardinals' first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?

The Arizona Republic : Arizona Cardinals pick Michigan DT Kenneth Grant at No. 16

Theo Mackie writes: "With many top edge rushers off the board, the Cardinals could shift their focus to the interior — especially if they add at least one established edge in free agency. Given their vocal preference for versatility, Shemar Stewart could be a fit, although his profile overlaps with that of Darius Robinson, whom they selected 27th overall last year. Grant is more of a prototypical defensive tackle and would give Arizona an interior force that it desperately lacks."

The Arizona Republic : Arizona Cardinals select Georgia EDGE Jalon Walker at No. 16

Bob McManaman writes: "At 6 feet 2, 245 pounds, Walker is a bit undersized for an edge rusher, but the skills are easy to see. The Cardinals can’t afford to get this pick wrong and if the choice is Walker, we’ll see if he’s able to deliver."

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USA TODAY Sports : Arizona Cardinals choose Mississippi DT Walter Nolen at No. 16

Tyler Dragon writes: "The Cardinals have a lot of free agents on their defensive front. Nolen’s athleticism and explosiveness make him an intriguing three-technique defensive tackle."

CBS Sports : Arizona Cardinals draft Georgia EDGE Jalon Walker at No. 16

Ryan Wilson writes: "Jalon Walker is listed as an off-ball linebacker but can line up anywhere ... and wreak havoc from anywhere."

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Pro Football Focus : Arizona Cardinals land Michigan CB Will Johnson at No. 16

Trevor Sikkema writes: "Johnson’s draft range is anywhere from the fringe top 10 to the end of the top 20. He might not have the recovery speed to dominate in man coverage, but he has great instincts and downhill stop-and-start agility to be an impact off-zone defender. The Cardinals have plenty of trench needs but could stand to grab a potential CB1 and dive into a deep defensive line class later in the draft."

CBS Sports : Arizona Cardinals go with Michigan DL Kenneth Grant at No. 16

Kyle Stackpole writes: "It was a major bummer that a hamstring strain kept Kenneth Grant from working out at the NFL combine, but he's still a massive, super athletic interior defensive lineman with a ton of room to grow. The Cardinals badly need help in that area, especially having to deal with the potent run games of the Rams and 49ers four times per year."

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The 33rd Team : Arizona Cardinals take Marshall EDGE Mike Green at No. 16

Kyle Crabbs writes: "Arizona's defensive growth under Jonathan Gannon is quite promising, especially considering what their pass rush room looked like last year. They're missing a few dangerous pieces up front, but no one in this class may have a better first step than Green. A healthy BJ Ojulari and Green would go quite a long way in putting more explosiveness onto the edge."

Sporting News : Arizona Cardinals go with Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams at No. 16

Vinnie Iyer writes: "The Cardinals need to bolster the pass rush for defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon, and the NFL combine helped reshuffle the order to show that Williams might be the ideal pressure player for their scheme."

FOX Sports : Arizona Cardinals choose Oregon DT Derrick Harmon at No. 16

Jason McIntyre writes: "The Cardinals defense needs help in several places — corner, DT and LB. But the run defense was in the bottom-half of the league, and Harmon instantly shores that up."

Athlon Sports : Arizona Cardinals select Michigan DL Kenneth Grant at No. 16

Luke Easterling writes: "This defensive front needs help across the board, and in this scenario, the massive and athletic Grant gives them the best balance of need and value."

The Draft Network : Arizona Cardinals draft Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr. at No. 16

Justin Melo writes: "James Pearce Jr. looked terrific in some drills and not so great in others. He's a divisive prospect, but there's no doubting his overall athleticism and ceiling. Jonathan Gannon is the right head coach to bring the best out of him."

Reach Jeremy Cluff at . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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