The Arizona Cardinals' seventh-round pick, safety Kitan Crawford, has a tough road ahead in his rookie season. With a rich background in special teams, where he logged over 1,000 snaps in college, his chances of making the roster will depend heavily on his performance in that area. The Cardinals already have established safeties in Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, and Rabbit Taylor-Demerson, along with Joey Blount, who is a key special teams player.

Crawford's path to a roster spot will require him to outshine Blount, who is known for his contributions on special teams. If Crawford fails to secure a position, he might find himself on the practice squad. Given the competition, particularly from proven players, it will be crucial for Crawford to excel in special teams drills and show his potential to contribute on defense.

The Arizona Cardinals have made a significant move in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen with the 16th overall pick. The team's reaction to this pick has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly among current players. Quarterback Kyler Murray expressed his excitement, highlighting Nolen's potential impact on the field. Safety Budda Baker echoed these sentiments, demonstrating confidence in Nolen's abilities to enhance the defensive lineup.

Linebackers Zaven Collins and Mack Wilson also shared their enthusiasm, recognizing the value Nolen will bring to the team's defense. Wilson noted that Nolen’s presence will help free him up to make plays in space, while Collins is eager to line up alongside him. Tackle Kelvin Beachum added a personal touch to the announcement by recalling his history with Ole Miss D-line coach Randal Joyner, who coached Nolen. This draft pick signals the Cardinals' commitment to strengthening their defense and shaping a more competitive team going forward.

The Arizona Cardinals have had a mixed bag of success with their second-round draft picks over the past decade. Players like Budda Baker and Trey McBride have emerged as stars, with Baker being a consistent Pro Bowler and McBride recording a record-setting season with 111 receptions. However, others like Andy Isabella and BJ Ojulari have underwhelmed, with Isabella never fully realizing his potential and Ojulari missing significant time with injuries.

In 2020 and 2016, the Cardinals traded away their second-round picks for high-profile players, DeAndre Hopkins and Chandler Jones, respectively. While these trades brought immediate impact, the opportunity to develop young talent was sacrificed. The latest picks, Max Melton and BJ Ojulari, remain to be seen in terms of their long-term contributions. As the Cardinals approach the 2025 draft, assessing the effectiveness of their second-round selections will be crucial for future roster development.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for the 2025 NFL Draft, currently holding the 16th pick. While the team has bolstered its defensive line and edge positions through free agency, it seems unlikely they will prioritize safety early in the draft. With Budda Baker signed through 2027 and promising prospects like Taylor-Demerson, the Cardinals may focus on other areas.

Draft Wire's latest rankings highlight the top five safety prospects: Malaki Starks from Georgia and Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina are projected to be first-round picks, although Starks' recent combine performance has raised concerns about a potential drop. Xavier Watts is also a name to watch as a solid second-round option, while Kevin Winston Jr. might land on Day 2. Lathan Ransom is seen as a box safety, likely to be drafted early on Day 3.

The San Francisco 49ers made significant moves during the first week of NFL free agency, shaking up their roster as they head into the 2024 season. Notably, wide receiver Deebo Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick, a bold move as the team looks to reshuffle its offensive weapons.

On the other hand, running back Jordan Mason received a second-round restricted tender before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings alongside a sixth-round pick. The 49ers also faced notable losses, with defensive lineman Javon Hargrave signing with the Vikings, cornerback Charvarius Ward heading to the Colts, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw joining the Broncos. Furthermore, several free agents departed, including quarterbacks Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen, both finding new homes in New England and Tennessee, respectively.

Yet, not all news was loss; the 49ers managed to acquire several free agents, including quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, aiming to strengthen their depth chart. As the dust settles on this volatile free agency period, the 49ers are clearly striving to maintain competitiveness in their division.