The first round of the NFL Draft delivered excitement with major trades and surprising player drops. James Gladstone, the youngest GM in NFL history, took a risk by trading up to select Travis Hunter from Colorado, a dual-threat prospect expected to shine in Jacksonville. Pete Carroll benefitted with Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, forming a dynamic duo with Brock Bowers in Las Vegas. The Colts capitalized on tight end Tyler Warren falling to them at No. 14, potentially revamping their offense, while Warren himself faced a setback by joining the Colts instead of a more favorable situation. Shedeur Sanders saw his stock fall despite interest from teams like the Browns and Giants, who opted for other QBs. The Cowboys' pick of Tyler Booker was met with mixed fan reactions as they passed on more explosive positions.

The Arizona Cardinals are stirring up intrigue in the 2025 NFL Draft with Daniel Jeremiah's final mock projection, which has them selecting wide receiver Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State as the 16th overall pick. This unexpected choice deviates from the common assumption that the team would prioritize a defensive player, as they did last year. Egbuka's addition aims to create a potent duo alongside Marvin Harrison Jr., potentially giving quarterback Kyler Murray a formidable receiving corps.

Despite a focus on defensive upgrades this offseason, the Cardinals might pivot to addressing their receiving needs should their preferred defensive targets be off the board. Egbuka's talent could be too appealing to ignore if the situation arises. While the team's management has indicated a more defensive approach, a scenario where they select Egbuka remains possible.

The Arizona Cardinals have outlined their top priorities for the 2025 NFL Draft as they prepare to fill significant roster gaps. Key areas of focus include bolstering the offensive line, particularly at right guard, where competition is stiff among Isaiah Adams and Royce Newman. Additionally, the team is seeking to enhance their receiving corps, where Marvin Harrison Jr. is a standout among a less proven group. Inside linebacker is also a target, as Akeem Davis-Gaither currently leads with limited experience.

While these positions represent core needs, the Cardinals are likely to prioritize strengthening their defensive line and edge rushers in the draft. They have recently added veterans like Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell but still see room for improvement in their pass-rushing capabilities. The offensive line could see an early pick, especially given the injury history of Jonah Williams. The Cardinals also continue to seek depth across various positions, which could shape their overall draft strategy.

The Arizona Cardinals have announced the return of wide receiver Greg Dortch on a one-year tender worth $3.3 million. This marks his fifth season with the team after he played all 17 games last season, recording 37 receptions for 342 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Additionally, Dortch contributed with five carries for 31 yards and held the team lead in punt returns with 202 yards. With a total of 116 receptions for 1,104 yards in 54 games with Arizona, he will rejoin a wide receiver corps that includes promising talents like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, enhancing the unit's depth ahead of the NFL draft.