As the Arizona Cardinals pass rushing attack has been plagued with injuries in 2024, a latest mock draft by ESPN has the team addressing it in the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid projects the Cardinals to take Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams in the first round with the 13th pick after trading down from the 10th pick with the Miami Dolphins.
"Williams began the season as my top-ranked prospect, but he missed some time with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain. He’s back on the field, but he is still sackless over four games this season. Scouts are hoping that he can return to form during the second half of the season, starting with a big matchup against Texas. He has fantastic length, burst and closing speed, and the upside is real. Considering the Cardinals are last in pass rush win rate (27.6%), this fit makes sense."
Adding pass rush help would address a need for the Cardinals, who didn’t sack Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love in a 34-14 loss on Sunday. Love threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns as the Packers offense racked up 437 yards.
Through six games, the Cardinals are ranked 24th in the league with 11 sacks. Linebacker Dennis Gardeck leads the team with three sacks, all of which came in the team’s Week 2 win against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 15.
Williams’ 2024 season has been limited after missing three games with an ankle injury. Williams has three tackles on the season and has yet to register a sack.
Through three seasons at Georgia, the 6-foot-5 265 pound lineman has 47 tackles and nine sacks.
The Cardinals signed defensive tackles Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols to multi-year deals to help improve the defensive line. However, Jones (triceps) and Nichols (neck) were placed on the injured reserve after sustaining injuries in Week 3 and 6, respectively.
Rookie defensive end Darius Robinson has yet to make his NFL debut following his calf injury sustained during a team practice on Aug. 22. The Cardinals designated Robinson to return off the IR on Oct. 9 but his return date is to be determined.
Second-year edge rusher BJ Ojulari looked to be a big part of the defense in 2024 but suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp.
Arizona Wildcats’ Tetairoa McMillan to the New Orleans Saints
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was also named in Reid’s mock draft, going to the New Orleans Saints with the 12th pick in the draft. McMillan is one of three Wildcats projected to be drafted in the first round.
"The Saints could go defense here, as more youth is needed on the front. But they also covet receiver help, and the highest-ranked prospect at the position (again, I have Travis Hunter at CB) is McMillan. He is a big-body target who would be an instant complementary option alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. McMillan currently ranks third in the FBS in yards per game (123.7), and he can go up and get it, with terrific skill on 50-50 balls. He also has the flexibility to play in the slot or on the outside."
Through five games in 2024, McMillan has caught 42 passes for 742 receiving yards and four touchdowns, averaging a 17.7 yards.
McMillan set a new school record with 304 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 10 catches during the Wildcats’ 61-39 win over New Mexico on Aug. 31.
Through three seasons, McMillan has caught 171 passes for 2,846 yards and has scored 22 touchdowns. During his sophomore year in 2023, McMillan had a good season, catching 90 passes for 1,402 yards and ten touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named to the second-team All-Pac-12.
Jonah Savaiinaea to the Chicago Bears
Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea was the second Wildcat to be named by Reid, going to the Chicago Bears at No. 18.
"Savaiinaea — who reminds me of Jordan Morgan, a 2024 first-rounder from Arizona — is a physical blocker with experience at multiple spots up front. He plays with a strong base and quick-enough feet in pass protection, and is developing into a dependable right tackle. But I have Savaiinaea projected as a guard with tackle flexibility at the next level. He’d give the Bears a plug-and-play option along the interior and help build a wall in front of Caleb Williams."
The 6-foot-55, 336 pound lineman has been a starter since his freshman season in 2022 and has started 31 games for the Wildcats over the course of three seasons.
Tacario Davis to the Green Bay Packers
Wildcat cornerback Tacario Davis was the third and final player to be taken in the first round, going to the Green Bay Packers at No. 24.
"Jaire Alexander has battled some injuries, and Eric Stokes is in the final year of his rookie deal. That makes cornerback a question mark in Green Bay beyond this season. The best one still available on the board is Davis, who also happens to be one of the longest corners in this class. He has fluid movement traits and solid ball skills, as he has 19 pass breakups over the past two seasons."
Through six games, Davis has 19 tackles and five defended passes. Davis’ sophomore season was a good one as well, registering 25 tackles with 15 defended passes and an interception. Like McMillan, Davis was named to the second-team All-Pac-12.
This would be the second year in a row that the Packers take a Wildcat in the first round. Offensive tackle Jordan Morgan was drafted by Green Bay with the 25th pick in the 2024 draft.