{"id":16799,"date":"2025-05-02T02:35:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T02:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/16799\/"},"modified":"2025-05-02T02:35:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T02:35:13","slug":"cardinals-to-face-13-first-round-draft-picks-in-2025-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/16799\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardinals to face 13 first-round draft picks in 2025 season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NFL will officially release the 2025 regular-season schedule on May 14, but the Arizona Cardinals have long known which opponents they\u2019ll face at home and on the road<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The schedule already presents several challenges, as the Cardinals are set to play teams from both the NFC South and AFC South divisions \u2014 facing teams like the Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n

After Thursday\u2019s first round of the NFL Draft, Arizona will take on 13 first-round picks<\/a> in their 2025 schedule, including the No.1 pick, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward.<\/p>\n

Eight of those rookies will travel to State Farm Stadium, while five will host the Cardinals on the road. Two of the first-rounders will play the Cardinals both at home and on the road. Several are expected to step into key roles immediately for their new teams.<\/p>\n

First-round draft picks who will face the Arizona Cardinals in the 2025 NFL season<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at those first-round draft picks who the Cardinals will have to duel against.<\/p>\n

-Tennessee Titans (No.1 pick): QB Cam Ward, Miami (home)<\/p>\n

-Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 2): WR\/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado (home)<\/p>\n

-Carolina Panthers (No. 8): WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (home)<\/p>\n

-New Orleans Saints (No. 9): OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (away)<\/p>\n

-San Francisco 49ers (No. 11): EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia (home\/away)<\/p>\n

-Dallas Cowboys (No. 12): OG Tyler Booker, Alabama (away)<\/p>\n

-Indianapolis Colts (No. 14): TE Tyler Warren, Penn State (away)<\/p>\n

-Atlanta Falcons (No. 15): LB Jalon Walker, Georgia (home)<\/p>\n

-Cincinnati Bengals (No. 17): EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (away)<\/p>\n

-Seattle Seahawks (No. 18): OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State (home\/away)<\/p>\n

-Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19): WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (away)<\/p>\n

-Green Bay Packers (No. 23): WR Matthew Golden, Texas (home)<\/p>\n

-Atlanta Falcons (No. 26): EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee (home)<\/p>\n

Aside from Ward, an anticipated home clash with Travis Hunter and the Jacksonville Jaguars will be sure to turn heads. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner will look to bank on his versatility of playing both sides of the ball \u2014 and it will remain to be seen if he can do so at the NFL level.<\/p>\n

Tetairoa McMillan<\/a>, a local fan-favorite in Arizona, will return as a member of the Carolina Panthers. In his final season in Arizona, McMillan caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in receiving yards. He was named an All-American and a member of the All-Big 12 First Team.<\/p>\n

Defensively, the Cardinals will have to see the No. 11 pick Mykel Williams twice, as the division rival San Francisco 49ers will play their traditional home and road split.<\/p>\n

On the road, Arizona will encounter more rookie firepower, this time with a battle at the trenches. Eyes will be on first-round pick Walter Nolen and how he will fair against the top offensive lineman like the New Orleans Saints\u2019 Kelvin Banks Jr., the Dallas Cowboys\u2019 Tyler Booker and the Seattle Seahawks\u2019 Grey Zabel \u2014 who they will see twice.<\/p>\n

In Cincinnati, the Cardinals will look to stop edge rusher Shemar Stewart, a top-15 pick with athleticism and was mocked to be a potential pick to the Cardinals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In Tampa Bay, former Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka looks to be a key weapon in the Buccaneers\u2019 passing game with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.<\/p>\n

For the Cardinals, these rookie matchups provide a test and also exciting storylines that fans will be locked into whether at State Farm Stadium or at home.<\/p>\n

\t
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