ESPN is one of the nation’s leading sports sites. We all log on at some point to catch up on our European soccer teams, what dates are the college football playoffs, if Caitlin Clark is healthy enough
to begin play in the WNBA, and which NASCAR driver is the points leader.
RELATED: CARDINALS 2026 MOCK DRAFT
Here at ROTB, we cover the Arizona Cardinals. And believe us when we say that is plenty to talk about. This year, all the talk was about QB Kyler Murray, and then shifted to TE Trey McBride and the single-season receptions record.
This 2025 season has not gone as it was drawn up for the Cardinals back in the summer, and training camp was in full bloom. There was anticipation and excitement. Now, there is aggravation and disappointment as Arizona now has double-digit losses when a playoff scenario was expected.
But there are some shiny spots dotted on the outer perimeter of the clouds, commonly called “silver linings.”
McBride leads that list, with DE Josh Sweat and DT Calais Campbell coming in second. Murray just might be the franchise’s signalcaller going forward, and then again, he might not. That could become Jacoby Brissett again. The receiver room has been a roller coaster. The safety room has flourished. In fact, the entire defensive backfield has been excellent.
And then there are some rookies who should be commended and placed directly in the spotlight.
It just so happens that ESPN’s Ben Solak has compiled a list for their site’s 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team, highlighting the best first-year players at their position. And yes, there are multiple Arizona players recognized.
LINK: FULL LIST ESPN ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Drum roll please.
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Defensive Tackle
Second Team: Walter Nolen – Cardinals
“Several defensive tackles played more snaps and had flashier plays than Nolen (such as the Steelers’ Derrick Harmon, Dolphins’ Kenneth Grant, Chargers’ Jamaree Caldwell and Dolphins’ Jordan Phillips). But Nolen’s limited film is so good and so disruptive that I have to give him the nod over the field. A healthy sophomore season from Nolen could lead to eye-popping tackle-for-loss and pressure numbers given how naturally he won as a penetrator as a rookie.“
Linebacker
Second Team: Cody Simon – Cardinals
“Simon is a bit of a “best of the rest” nod. He has been up and down when thrust into the starting lineup because of injuries ahead of him on the depth chart, but the rest of the field has been a lot more down than up. The Bengals, who are starting two rookie linebackers, would do anything to have a player like Simon in their building right now.“
Cornerback
First Team: Will Johnson – Cardinals
“Johnson’s advanced metrics aren’t great, and he has gotten cooked by some top receivers, but that’s the reality of playing corner in the NFL. The body of work on film is still quite good. Johnson is an impressively fluid mover at his length and would benefit from a scheme that allows him to play closer to the line of scrimmage when tasked with man-coverage responsibilities. Johnson needs to stay healthy, but I’m willing to bet on his physical profile on a healthier defense for seasons to come.“
Second Team: Denzel Burke – Cardinals
“Burke has provided the ball production for the Cardinals’ rookie cornerback duo, with three interceptions and 11 passes defensed on 52 targets. His ballhawk rate of 21.2% is 11th among all corners this season, rookie or otherwise, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Some of Burke’s ball production has been fortuitous, and he did give up a 20-yard completion to an offensive lineman this week. But even with the warts in run support and issues tackling in space, Burke’s production at the catch point is too valuable to ignore.“
