We are days away from the 2025 NFL draft and that means there is time for a few more mock drafts. The Athletic's Harrison Baumgardner has a new three-round mock draft.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is unsurprisingly the first pick in the draft, taken by the Tennessee Titans and two-position star Travis Hunter goes second overall to the Cleveland Browns. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders falls all the way to the 21st pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, so they don't even have to trade up for him.
But what about the Arizona Cardinals?
Let's have a look at the three-round projections for them.
Arizona Cardinals three-round mock draft picks
- Round 1 (No. 16 overall): Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
- Round 2 (No. 47 overall): Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
- Round 3 (No. 78 overall): N.C. State OT Anthony Belton
Analysis of picks
The Cardinals won't go wrong taking Harmon in the first round, who has incredible upside. His size, athleticism and ability to play both the pass and run make him a potential All-Pro. He will have to earn playing time as a rookie in a deep defensive line room, but, along with 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson, he gives the Cardinals two young, dynamic interior rushers.
And then to land Pearce in Round 2 is a steal. He is one of the most athletic edge rushers of the draft class. He had "only" 7.5 sacks in 2024 but led the SEC with 10 in 2023.
Adding Belton in the third round is just a solid addition, especially with the defensive front addressed early.
It would be hard for any Cardinals fan to complain about having the first three rounds play out like this.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals bolster defense in 3-round picks
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