With the Arizona Cardinals now firmly in the offseason, we can look ahead to the 2025 and project how things might look on the roster and which players can take steps forward in production.
Players break out each year. Who can be that breakout player for Arizona?
According to Pro Football Focus, who gave a breakout candidate in 2025 for every NFL, for the Cardinals, it will be a player most believed would break out in 2024 — linebacker BJ Ojulari.
The Cardinals finished 25th in team pressure rate and tied for 30th in team pass-rush grade this season, but that came with Ojulari missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL. During his rookie season, Ojulari ranked fourth among qualified rookies with a 13.4% pass-rush win rate, generating 20 pressures on only 161 pass-rushing snaps. With Dennis Gardeck, Baron Browning, L.J. Collier and more hitting the market, Arizona will likely turn to Ojulari to provide internal pass-rushing help.
Ojulari was expected to be the team’s top edge presence in 2024 after showing promise in the second half of his rookie season. That never materialized as he tore his ACL in training camp.
With Zaven Collins leading the Cardinals in sacks with five, the Cardinals desperately need more from their outside linebackers.
Is Ojulari someone the Cardinals can plan on in 2025? After two seasons where injuries were a major factor, they would be wise to address the position so he isn’t their Plan A or at least the only plan.
Ojulari could break out next season, but it would be great to simply get him to play a full season.
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