An Overview of the Arizona Cardinals Defense
The 2025 Cardinals were well below average on defense. They finished among the bottom third in virtually every important category. Arizona's 30 sacks were tied for 28th, their 19 turnovers tied for 21st, they were 24th versus the pass, 25th against the run, and three teams allowed more points. There is plenty of room for improvement, so the 2026 version will either be surprisingly good or surprisingly bad.
Keep in mind that the Cardinals completely changed their defensive philosophy in 2025, moving from the base 3-4 that they had run for years to a 4-2-5 scheme. Complete overhauls like this usually create at least one down year as teams adjust personnel to fit and the holdovers learn the new system. Thus, the second year is often significantly better. On the other hand, most teams making such a transition continue to make personnel changes going into the second year. The Cardinals added no impact players on defense this offseason. Instead, their roster additions include a few veteran journeymen to add depth and a couple of late-round rookies. Unless the turnaround comes from the guys who were already there stepping up, this unit could be surprisingly bad again.
Arizona Cardinals Defensive Line
The Cardinals made no high-profile additions along the defensive line. They even moved on from starters Dalvin Tomlinson and future Hall of Famer Calais Campbell. There is, however, reason for optimism. Arizona used a first-round pick on Darius Robinson in 2024 and another on Walter Nolen III last year. Both are talented young players with big expectations and a ton of potential. Both missed most of their rookie seasons with injuries, and both are healthy entering 2026.
The question with Robinson is, where does he fit? The Cardinals were a 3-4 team when he was drafted. There was speculation that he would work outside in that scheme, but when he finally got on the field late in the year, Robinson saw most of his action with his hand down as an outside tackle. He worked mostly at tackle last season as well, but that had a lot to do with Zaven Collins and Barron Browning working on the edge. Both of those guys are expected to see most of their work at strong-side linebacker this season.
Robinson is a physically gifted player with superior quickness and the upper body strength to jam and shed blockers at the point of attack. He is tall at six-five, with long arms to leverage blockers and obstruct passing lanes. Robinson is not a great upfield speed rusher off the edge, relying on strength and physicality to beat blockers. His physical attributes give the coaching staff options. He could be successful working on the edge on early downs and shifting inside to rush the passer, or he would be a great fit as a three-technique tackle.
If Robinson ends up starting on the edge, which is where I believe he will land, his IDP value could be similar to that of Sam Hubbard in his prime. Hubbard was never a double-digit sack guy, but he was good for 6-8 a year. He was a solid fantasy option because he stood up to the run well, played on all three downs, and contributed good tackle numbers. Robinson was a productive college player. He's not shown much statistically as a pro, but that could change for him in year three.
There is no question where Josh Sweat will line up. He is easily the Cardinals' best pass rusher, accounting for 12 of the team's 30 sacks last year. The drawback in fantasy terms was the same as most of his time with the Eagles: not enough tackle production. With 12 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and a recovery, even average tackle production would have made Sweat a solid every-week start for us. Instead, he could muster just 21 tackles and 9 assists.
Sweat plays the run well enough to be on the field full-time. It was the coaching staff that poo-pooed his value with a virtually even four-man rotation on the edge. Sweat, Collins, Browning, and rookie Jordan Burch all played between 504 and 543 snaps. The evolution of the scheme and personnel may well mean a bigger role and better numbers for Sweat. As we sit here in mid-June, there is no way to know if that will happen.
Even though they are officially strong-side linebackers, Collins and Browning are all but certain to rush the passer when they are on the field, and last year's third-round pick, Jordan Burch, and free agent addition will have a role as well. Thus, there is a distinct possibility that the more things change, the more they will remain the same with the Cardinals' pass rushers.
Walter Nolen III was drafted into a crowded position last year. Then he battled a knee issue (Meniscus) that bothered and limited him most of the season. The room is less crowded, and the knee has been repaired. It is time for him to show why the team felt he was worthy of the sixteenth overall pick.
Nolen is not the strongest or most physical of tackles, but he is explosive and athletic enough to get off blocks and make plays against the run with enough wiggle to get by pass blockers. He is expected to handle the three-technique role, which is generally the most fantasy-friendly of the interior positions.
Nolen has much to prove, but he could be the guy who emerges as the difference-maker up front for the Cardinals and a solid option for fantasy managers. He checked the box for production coming out of college. As a starter at Texas A&M in 2023 and at Ole Miss in 2024, Nolen combined for 85 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 4 turnovers.
Another hint that Robinson will likely work on the outside is the additions of Roy Lopez and Andrew Billings in free agency. Both are big-bodied space eaters who can anchor the run defense from the nose tackle position. Lopez likely gets the starting nod, but he will come off the field in passing situations, possibly opening the door for Robinson to slide inside.
- Edge Josh Sweat – Potentially solid option if he is on the field enough; that's a big IF
- Edge Darius Robinson – Strong upside sleeper if the role allows for it
- Edge Jordan Burch – Deep sleeper at best
- Edge Jonah Williams – No impact expected
- Edge B.J. Ojulari – Could be on the roster bubble
- DT Walter Nolen III – Talented sleeper that no one is talking about
- NT Roy Lopez – Marginal impact
- DT Dante Stills – No impact expected
- DT Kaleb Proctor – Developmental rookie
- NT Andrew Billings – No impact
- DT PJ Mustipher – No impact