Jordan Burch, the Arizona Cardinals' third-round pick, has signed a four-year contract valued at $6.49 million with a signing bonus of $1.36 million. His contract also includes increasing base salaries, starting at $840,000 and escalating to $1.72 million in the final year. If placed on injured reserve, his salary could drop significantly. Burch, a promising outside linebacker, played 58 games in college, recording 16 sacks and showcasing his potential as a playmaker for the Cardinals.

Jordan Burch, the Arizona Cardinals' third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to serve as a rotational outside linebacker (OLB) in his rookie season. With an improved linebacker room featuring veterans like Josh Sweat and Baron Browning, as well as returnees BJ Ojulari and Zaven Collins, Burch will likely begin the season as the fifth OLB. His role may include contributing on special teams, with limited snaps on defense unless he proves to be effective in the rotation.

For Burch to make an impact, he will need to demonstrate his capabilities in practice and potentially earn active status on game day. The best-case scenario for the rookie is to carve out a niche within the defensive lineup. As the Cardinals build their defense, the development of young talents like Burch will be crucial for their future success.

The Arizona Cardinals have unveiled uniform numbers for their seven draft picks following the 2024 draft. Each player will wear a different number than they did in college, adhering to NFL regulations.

Defensive lineman Walter Nolen will don No. 97, having previously worn No. 2 at Ole Miss and No. 0 at Texas A&M. Cornerback Will Johnson will wear No. 0, marking a rare occurrence in Cardinals history as only the second player to do so. Johnson previously wore No. 2 at Michigan. Linebacker Cody Simon gets No. 50, moving from No. 0 at Ohio State. Others include Jordan Burch (No. 52), Denzel Burke (No. 29), Hayden Conner (No. 58), and Kitan Crawford (No. 36), who now carries Budda Baker's former number.

The Arizona Cardinals' 2025 NFL Draft class is garnering significant praise, with many analysts considering it a major success. Highlighting their top three picks, cornerback Will Johnson stands out as a potential draft steal. Initially projected as a top-10 talent, Johnson fell to the second round due to injury concerns, yet his ball-hawking skills mirror those of Trevon Diggs, making him a valuable asset for the team's defense.

Alongside Johnson, defensive lineman Walter Nolen, selected at 16, is viewed as a perfect fit for the Cardinals' defensive scheme under coach Jonathan Gannon. Nolen's upside is seen as tremendous, and he could thrive in Arizona's system, even if it's misidentified as a 4-3. Finally, linebacker Jordan Burch, drafted at 78, showcases impressive athleticism and versatility, roundly praised for his potential to impact the defense significantly depending on his development.

In a calculated and strategic move, the Arizona Cardinals have secured two top-15 defensive prospects in Walter Nolen and Will Johnson, bolstering their defensive lineup significantly. General manager Monti Ossenfort emphasized the importance of value on draft day, resulting in a heavy investment in defensive talent with six of their seven picks focused on the defensive side of the ball.

Nolen, a defensive interior player from Ole Miss, earned the second-highest PFF run-defense grade in the FBS, indicating immediate impact potential for a Cardinals defense that struggled previously. Johnson, a cornerback from Michigan, brings impressive metrics, including a passer rating allowed in coverage that ranks in the 94th percentile, enhancing the team’s secondary alongside Garrett Williams.

Jordan Burch, selected from Oregon, adds depth and versatility to the pass rush, expected to thrive in various roles within the defensive scheme.