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After three defensive player picks in the 2025 NFL draft for the Arizona Cardinals in the first three rounds, they went with a defensive player in the fourth round, selecting Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon with the 115th overall pick.
He was the defensive leader for the national champions last season and was super productive. He had 112 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven pass breakups.
He is solidly athletic, although not a freak.
What grade do the Cardinals deserve with this pick?
Well, Simon is a solid option at a position that has an opening in the starting lineup. He will fit the locker room. He is a high-character guy.
Between the production, the build and the character, he reminds me a bit of Jordan Hicks, who has had a long, productive NFL career as a starter.
Philosophically, the fourth round is a good place to get a quality starting-caliber linebacker.
The question is whether there was another player at a different position worth getting instead.
They could have gotten speedy wideout Jaylin Lane, who was selected 13 players later. That would have been a good selection. Aside from him, the players they might have considered were at positions they already addressed or did not need at all.
Overall, it is a solid pick.
Grade: A-minus
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL draft grades: Arizona Cardinals' pick of LB Cody Simon
Continue reading...
He was the defensive leader for the national champions last season and was super productive. He had 112 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven pass breakups.
He is solidly athletic, although not a freak.
What grade do the Cardinals deserve with this pick?
Arizona Cardinals draft grades: LB Cody Simon
Well, Simon is a solid option at a position that has an opening in the starting lineup. He will fit the locker room. He is a high-character guy.
Between the production, the build and the character, he reminds me a bit of Jordan Hicks, who has had a long, productive NFL career as a starter.
Philosophically, the fourth round is a good place to get a quality starting-caliber linebacker.
The question is whether there was another player at a different position worth getting instead.
They could have gotten speedy wideout Jaylin Lane, who was selected 13 players later. That would have been a good selection. Aside from him, the players they might have considered were at positions they already addressed or did not need at all.
Overall, it is a solid pick.
Grade: A-minus
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL draft grades: Arizona Cardinals' pick of LB Cody Simon
Continue reading...
