A look at the analysts' choices at No. 16

Zach Gershman

The day has finally arrived. Roger Goodell will open the 2025 NFL draft at 5 PM in Arizona. By the end of Thursday night, teams will have made their first-round selections and dreams will be accomplished. But who will get the call to join the Cardinals in what has been labeled as the most unpredictable draft?

After finishing 2024 with an 8-9 record, the Cardinals hold the 16th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.It'll mark the fourth time the organization has picked at the slot. Last season, the Cardinals held the fourth pick, so picking in the middle of the draft is a bit different for Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort.

This mock draft tracker, the final version, will feature opinions from NFL experts about their choices for the Cardinals at pick 16.

LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Jihaad Campbell's draft stock has fluctuated all around the big boards ever since his shoulder surgery was reported. There's reports that he could begin the season on the PUP list, but he could be worth the risk. The Alabama linebacker's skills can't be disputed. A former edge rusher turned inside linebacker, Campbell impressed in 2024, finishing the season as a first-team All-SEC recipient. He could join the Cardinals and pair up with fellow Crimson Tide linebacker Mack Wilson Sr.

What some of the experts are saying:

"With a clean bill of health, Campbell is considered by most teams to be one of the top 10-12 prospects in the class. Campbell converted from edge, so he's still developing linebacker instincts, but his versatility to drop back in coverage and rush the passer is highly coveted." - Todd McShay,The Ringer

"The Cardinals will be hunting explosive players on defense throughout the draft Campbell fits that description. The Alabama linebacker has the range and versatility as a pass rusher to impact the game in a variety of ways." - Dane Brugler,The Athletic

"The Cardinals could use help at guard and to their defensive line, but neither need is pressing enough to bypass Campbell, a rangy, versatile piece in the middle. Campbell adds value as a blitzer with five sacks in 2024, and his blend of length, strength, quickness and speed creates a three-down profile at the next level." - Daniel Flick,Sports Illustrated

Others who have mocked Campbell to the Cardinals:Charles Davis,NFL.com; Nate Davis,USA Today; Ian Valentino,The 33rd Team; Pete Prisco,CBS Sports

CB Will Johnson, Michigan

If Will Johnson's medical history wasn't as concerning, the cornerback would be snatched up before the Cardinals are on the clock. He still could go higher than 16 based off his potential. At Michigan he played under Wink Martindale, the former Giants defensive coordinator, so the expectations for an NFL style defense has been established. If he could stay healthy, Johnson might find himself as a starting cornerback in no time.

What some of the experts are saying:

"Assuming he is fine, health-wise, I think this is an easy pick. Six-foot cornerbacks don't grow on trees. He makes hits, he's a good blitzer, and I just feel like he was the best of the corners after Travis Hunter." - Cris Collinsworth,PFF

"This is another team that could go anywhere, but it will be happy to address a need at corner with Johnson. He didn't run at his pro day and might have some medical red flags, but you watch him play and that alleviates a lot of those concerns." - Chris Fallica,Fox Sports

Others who have mocked Johnson to the Cardinals:Jordan Reid,ESPN; Kyle Crabbs,The 33rd Team; Brent Sobleski,Bleacher Report; Trevor Sikkema,PFF

CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Jahdae Barron is the other cornerback mocked to the Cardinals throughout draft season. Because of his size, Barron is likely projected to be an inside slot corner, even though he was moved to the outside this past season at Texas. In 2024, nearly 70 percent of his snaps were as an outside corner. The Cardinals drafted four defensive backs last season after drafting nickel corner Garrett Williams the year prior. If Barron gets the call from Ossenfort, DC Nick Rallis would need to decide if he'll play the 5-foot-10 Thorpe Award winner on the outside or move Williams.

What some of the experts are saying:

"The Thorpe Award winner is the top corner in this class not named Travis Hunter. The Cardinals have been quietly adding premier talent through the draft the past few years. Remember: Head coach Jonathan Gannon is a defensive backs coach by trade. This one makes a lot of sense." - Peter Schrager,ESPN

"Arizona has plenty of holes to fill on defense, but none are more glaring than cornerback. Barron got his start as a nickel corner at Texas but was thrust into an outside role in 2024 and thrived, earning Pro Football Focus's No. 2 coverage grade. He can play a variety of roles for the Cardinals out of the gate." - Kyle Dvorchak,NBC Sports

"The Cardinals made a big free-agent acquisition on the edge with Josh Sweat, so that should allow Arizona to add to the backend with Barron. That would cap off a nice offseason for the Cards to get the reigning Thorpe Award winner." - Joel Klatt,Fox Sports;

DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Just a few days before the draft, there was a report stating that defensive tackle Derrick Harmon has medical concerns that'll move him down some boards. However, during his final three seasons in college, Harmon did not miss a game. Assuming Harmon is selected by the Cardinals, the defensive line room would get a talent that craves an interior pass rush. Harmon was the FBS leader with 55 pressures, which was 12 more than the next defensive tackle. He'd have some quality mentors in Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson as well.

What some of the experts are saying:

"The Cardinals could use upgrades on both sides of the line of scrimmage, but the burly, blue-collar Harmon would appear to be a perfect fit for Jonathan Gannon's defense. Massive, strong and surprisingly quick, Harmon could play up and down the defensive line." - Rob Rang,Fox Sports

"With Calais Campbell in house for at least one season, the Cardinals look to add a big body who can be mentored by one of the game's great people and players. Harmon helps Arizona beef up even more after a torrid offseason that included a high-priced swing at former Jonathan Gannon defensive weapon Josh Sweat." - Connor Orr,Sports Illustrated(selected at pick 20 via trade with the Broncos)

"The hard-nosed interior force would be a nice fit in Arizona's D-line as a disruptive defender with heavy hands and a high-revving motor." - Bucky Brooks,NFL.com

WR Matthew Golden, Texas

There has been a steady trend throughout the offseason mocking the Cardinals to select a wide receiver in the first round in back-to-back seasons. Matthew Golden, with his speedy 4.29 40 time, has been the most likely candidate at the position. After transferring to Texas in 2024, Golden made an immediate impact on an offense that made it to the CFP semifinals, finishing the season as the Longhorns' leading receiver. His 5-foot-10 frame pins him as a slot wide receiver, but he also has the skillset to play out wide.

What some of the experts are saying:

"OL and DL are options here but Golden and his 4.29 40 time feel like a perfect match opposite Marvin Harrison Jr." - Ryan Wilson,CBS Sports

"I want a guy that can run and make plays after the catch. He played at Texas and had some really good football games, a great career. Golden, to me, is the guy I would take with a bigger receiver that I already have in Marvin Harrison Jr." - Justin Pugh and Jay Gruden,Underdog Network

Other players mocked to the Cardinals:

WR Emeka Egbuka (Daniel Jeremiah,NFL.com)

DT Kenneth Grant (Gordon McGuinness,PFF)

OG Tyler Booker (Lance Zierlein,NFL.com)

EDGE Mykel Williams (Nate Tice and Charles McDonald,Yahoo Sports)

WR Tetairoa McMillan (Mike Florio,NBC Sports)

DT Walter Nolen (Josh Edwards,CBS Sports)

OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (Jon Macri & Nathan Jahnke,PFF)

OL Josh Simmons (Benjamin Allbright,KOA Colorado)

EDGE Shemar Stewart (Kyle Stackpole,CBS Sports)