Can Walter Nolen III pick up the slack left behind by Calais Campbell?
There are plenty of positional question marks when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals defense heading into training camp.
Watch: Frank Caliendo talks Cardinals, dinner with Jon Gruden & explains his Patrick Mahomes impersonation | 12 mins
The Arizona Cardinals defense went from losing games in the closing moments to getting the doors blown off them throughout last year.
The offense got a major facelift this offseason, highlighted by the hiring of offensive-minded head coach Mike LaFleur and the addition of running back Jeremiyah Love.
The defense, which was among the worst in the NFL, instead watched key members walk out the door and saw Nick Rallis get another shot leading the unit despite Jonathan Gannon’s firing.
Where does the unit go from here?
A look at some of the biggest question marks in each position room with training camp underway this week:
Defensive line
Who picks up the slack left behind by Calais Campbell?
Losing Campbell in free agency felt like a given after his return to Arizona was spoiled with a mountain of Ls.
He clearly has enough in the tank for at least another year after racking up the second-most pressures, sacks and tackles for loss on the team.
Now with him out of the picture, there’s a massive hole along the defensive line. Who fills it?
Walter Nolen III instantly comes to mind.
The young defensive lineman proved he has the traits that translate at the next level. He just needs to stay healthy.
While he stuffed the stat sheet last year when he was on the field, dealing with multiple injuries and appearing in just six games douses some of the hype he brings with him.
If he can stay upright, he’s got the makings of a premier interior threat.
Darius Robinson also comes to mind, though he’s yet to live up to his first-round price tag. This is a big Year 3 for Robinson, who needs to start popping on tape.
View this post on Instagram
A dark horse in the equation is newcomer Jonah Williams. He’s never topped more than three sacks in a season but brings a veteran presence to the line.
Inside linebacker
Can Jack Gibbens challenge Cody Simon for the starting role?
Simon entered the offseason as the unquestioned starting inside linebacker option opposite Mack Wilson Sr.
The young linebacker was quickly thrust into the starting lineup with Wilson lost to injury, earning valuable reps and working through growing pains in 16 games (nine starts) last year.
He finished the season with 76 tackles (two for loss), 0.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Then came the addition of Gibbens this free agency.
The veteran is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro behind 81 tackles (eight for loss), one sack, four passes defensed and a forced fumble in 17 games (eight starts) for the New England Patriots last year.
If someone is going to challenge Simon for the starting role, it’s Gibbens.
This competition could come down to who gels more with Wilson, who is expected to return to his MIKE linebacker role.
Outside linebacker
Can someone not named Josh Sweat impact the quarterback?
It was Sweat and then everybody else when it came to outside linebackers pressuring the quarterback last year. If he wasn’t logging one of his career-high 12 sacks, more times than not, no other pass rusher was getting close.
Who changes that in 2026?
Arizona decided to run it back at the position this offseason, leaving a quartet of in-house options to consider.
– Zaven Collins
– BJ Ojulari
– Baron Browning
– Jordan Burch
Of those four, Ojulari is the most intriguing.
Well on his way to starting in 2024, Ojulari went down with a devastating knee injury in training camp.
He’s had to work his way back ever since, eventually appearing in eight games last year.
If he can get back to that early career form, he’s got a shot to steal snaps from Collins and Browning, two veterans coming off multiple starts last year.
Cornerback
Can Denzel Burke solidify himself as CB2?
While Will Johnson got a lot of the hype, Burke was the most underrated Cardinal last year after pacing the team in interceptions (three) and passes defensed (11).
And with 17 games (eight starts) under his belt, he enters camp as the leading CB2 candidate.
He has a chance at putting up similar numbers, though is going to have to fend off plenty of competition for the role.
The first name that comes to mind is Starling Thomas V. Had a torn ACL suffered in training camp not ruined his 2025 season, the cornerback was trending toward starting last year.
After seeing him get some practice work in this offseason, he’s expected to challenge for the role this camp.
Same goes for Max Melton. While Melton appeared to fall out of favor with the coaching staff last year, he’s a second-round talent who should get a chance at moving up the depth chart.
Safety
Can Rabbit Taylor-Demerson step into a bigger role?
The dynamic duo of Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker is no more after the former signed with Dallas this offseason.
Had the signing happened a few years ago, there would be a gaping hole at the position.
But with Taylor-Demerson coming off a strong second season that included two interceptions, six pass defensed and 59 tackles (all career highs), all signs point to him filling the Thompson role pretty seamlessly.
The only big knock on Taylor-Demerson last year was his availability with 12 games played (four starts).
Much like Simon and other young Cardinals fighting for starting roles, Taylor-Demerson won’t be without some veteran competition in Andrew Wingard.
Wingard is coming off one of his best NFL seasons (84 tackles, one interception and nine passes defensed in 16 starts).
Related
Can Cardinals' Mike LaFleur unlock Marvin Harrison Jr.?
How does the Cardinals' RB surplus work itself out?
Who locks down the Cardinals' right guard job?
Will Cardinals' Trey McBride have a repeat performance in 2026?
How will the Cardinals' Jacoby Brissett saga end?
Cardinals enter new season with major lack of elite talent
Comments