Cardinals projected to favor upgraded rookie, 18-year vet over disappointing former first-rounder

The Arizona Cardinals may have a bit of a logjam forming on their defensive line — and training camp could get crowded quickly.

After selecting Missouri’s Darius Robinson with the 27th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cardinals doubled down this offseason. They signed veteran Calais Campbell and selected Walter Nolen out of Ole Miss with the No. 16 pick in the 2025 draft. That trio now appears headed for a three-way battle for starting roles on the edge.

Given that Campbell will turn 39 in September, the assumption might be that the seasoned veteran will take a rotational role behind the two promising young players. But his signing, coupled with Arizona’s aggressive move to take Nolen in the first round, may actually say more about Robinson’s standing.

Robinson missed most of his rookie season with a calf injury. And in limited action, his production didn’t exactly jump off the page — totaling just 10 tackles and one sack.

That’s why Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder projects Campbell and Nolen to be the Week 1 starters on the edges for Arizona.

“Campbell’s experience and the fact that he’s still playing at a high level give him a major competitive advantage over the two young bucks,” Holder wrote.

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“In full disclosure, B/R was a lot higher on Nolen than Robinson as draft prospects, which factors into the projected winners. The former is a more explosive athlete who has a higher ceiling, while the latter has already underwhelmed in the pros.”

Nolen enters the NFL coming off his most dominant season at Ole Miss, recording 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Pairing him opposite Campbell could give the Cardinals a strong mix of power and explosiveness — but not everyone sees that duo as the surefire starting combination.

“Opening the season with Campbell and Nolen sounds like an ideal scenario for Cardinals fans,” wrote SI’s Richie Bradshaw. “I have a slight pushback, however, and believe that [Dalvin] Tomlinson has an inside track to start next to the veteran.”

Bradshaw pointed to Tomlinson’s steady track record and elite run defense as reasons why he should be in the mix.

“Tomlinson has had a quietly good career and his addition to the defense will help solidify the front seven with a proven player and elite run defender,” Bradshaw added.

With Campbell’s leadership, Nolen’s upside, and Tomlinson’s consistency, the Cardinals have options — and that could leave Robinson on the outside looking in unless he makes a big leap this summer.