Cardinals take CB Denzel Burke at No. 174 in 2025 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals nabbed Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke with the No. 174 overall pick (fifth round) in the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday.

The selection comes after the Cardinals moved back in the fifth round behind a trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

Burke, who attended Brophy Prep and Saguaro High School, is coming off his fourth season at Ohio State where he registered 48 tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed across 16 games played.

He also knows quite a bit about the franchise he’s joining.

“I grew up a fan. … Patrick Peterson was one of my favorite players. Complete legend and probably a future Hall of Famer,” Burke said after being drafted. “Larry Fitzerald, the list goes on. … Started off with me being in the nose bleeds just watching from afar and just dreaming of myself to be in that position and I am now today thanks to God.”

Burke is the latest Cardinals addition to the defense in what was a busy offseason for the franchise.

Turning their attention on revamping the front seven, general manager Monti Ossenfort and Co. added key outside signings Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell.

Arizona then went out and added Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen III with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round of the draft on Thursday night.

It didn’t stop there, with Michigan cornerback Will Johnson (second round), Oregon pass rusher Jordan Burch (third round), Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon (fourth round) and now Burke.

Denzel Burke joins an already crowded Cardinals cornerbacks room

Burke now joins a CBs room featuring Garrett Williams, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton and Starling Thomas V.

Williams is arguably Arizona’s CB1 and is locked in as the starting nickel for years to come.

Murphy-Bunting was hit and miss last season, though provides a veteran presence in the youthful room, while Melton took noticeable steps forward as his rookie season progressed in 2024.

Thomas on the other hand has carved out a prominent role in the secondary after coming aboard as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Johnson could also find himself in a key role along the outside.

Newcomer Jaylon Jones, Elijah Jones and Kei’Trel Clark round out the room.

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