The Arizona Cardinals have had a mixed bag of success with their second-round draft picks over the past decade. Players like Budda Baker and Trey McBride have emerged as stars, with Baker being a consistent Pro Bowler and McBride recording a record-setting season with 111 receptions. However, others like Andy Isabella and BJ Ojulari have underwhelmed, with Isabella never fully realizing his potential and Ojulari missing significant time with injuries.

In 2020 and 2016, the Cardinals traded away their second-round picks for high-profile players, DeAndre Hopkins and Chandler Jones, respectively. While these trades brought immediate impact, the opportunity to develop young talent was sacrificed. The latest picks, Max Melton and BJ Ojulari, remain to be seen in terms of their long-term contributions. As the Cardinals approach the 2025 draft, assessing the effectiveness of their second-round selections will be crucial for future roster development.

The Philadelphia Eagles are making another strategic move in free agency, signing former New York Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari to a one-year, $4 million deal. Ojulari, who was a second-round draft pick in 2021, made a strong rookie impression by setting a franchise record with eight sacks. However, injuries hindered his performance in subsequent seasons, as he missed a total of 22 games over the last three years. Despite these setbacks, he still managed to rack up impressive stats, including 5.5 sacks in just seven games in 2022 and six sacks in 11 games in 2024.

Ojulari's addition comes after the Eagles lost defensive end Josh Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals, who signed him to a lucrative four-year deal worth $76 million. The Eagles are also bolstering their pass-rush depth by signing Josh Uche, a player with a notable 11.5 sacks in 2022. Meanwhile, the Giants are working to fill the gap left by Ojulari's departure by signing Chauncey Golston, who had a solid season with the Cowboys. This offseason has been pivotal for both teams as they continue to restructure their rosters.

The Arizona Cardinals are primed for a significant uptick in sack production from their outside linebackers in the upcoming season, particularly due to strategic roster changes. Last season, the Cardinals finished with a mere 16.5 sacks from their six OLBs, led by Zaven Collins with five. This year, with the return of Collins and the addition of Josh Sweat, who had eight sacks last season, expectations are high for increased performance. Additionally, the re-signing of Baron Browning and a healthy BJ Ojulari, who missed last season due to injury, adds depth and potential for double-digit sack production.

If projections hold, the Cardinals can realistically expect around 24 to 32 sacks from their OLB unit. This estimated increase hinges on Sweat reaching 10 sacks, Ojulari hitting 8, and Collins and Browning contributing five each. Fantasy players should keep an eye on these individual performances as they could significantly impact defensive rankings and game outcomes throughout the season.

As the NFL moves past the 2024 regular season, discussions about the 2025 season are already underway. Emerging talents among first-round quarterbacks such as Michael Penix Jr., Caleb Williams, and J.J. McCarthy are expected to perform strongly next year. The early 2025 NFL Draft season is highlighted by tools like PFF's Mock Draft Simulator, showcasing top prospects for fans to engage with.

In particular, rising stars like Tykee Smith, who secured a notable 90.3 PFF run-defense grade, are also making headlines. On the Arizona Cardinals front, EDGE BJ Ojulari is set to be a key player following a torn ACL that sidelined him throughout 2024. With the Cardinals' struggles in pass-rush evident, his return is highly anticipated for the 2025 season.

The Denver Broncos opted not to make any trades on the final day of the deadline, despite rumors surrounding players like Courtland Sutton and D.J. Jones. After trading edge rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals, the team appears focused on rebuilding while remaining competitive.

Browning's trade, while seen as a loss on defense, aligns with the Broncos' strategy to retain Jonathon Cooper and develop Nik Bonitto. Analysts have given favorable grades for the trade, noting Browning's injury history and the Broncos' depth at the position.