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Arizona Cardinals News

The Arizona Cardinals finished outside of the NFC playoffs with an 8-9 record.

They started the year 6-4 and looked to be in a solid position to earn a spot in the NFC playoffs. Unfortunately, they went on to lose five of their final seven and now head into the offseason with their primary goal of righting that wrong and getting back to the postseason next year.

The play of quarterback Kyler Murray will obviously play a significant role in the team’s hopes of doing just that. And in a new A to Z Sports mock draft, the Cardinals give Murray what he needs most: an improved offensive line.

Cardinals land Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. in a new 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. is viewed as an option to be drafted as the top tackle in the class. This selection would give the Cardinals a solid young tackle duo with Paris Johnson Jr., and it will help them better support QB Kyler Murray going forward.”

– New A to Z Sports Mock Draft

Texas’ offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is considered one of the top offensive linemen in this year’s class. Some even think he could end up being the first taken and be a top-10 pick come April. In this mock draft, though, he falls into the Cardinals’ lap at pick 16, and I bet the team would be ecstatic if this came to fruition.

If the Cardinals pulled this off, they would have an impressive tackle duo to build around in Banks and Paris Johnson Jr. Banks is a gifted pass protector and would help the team better protect Kyler Murray during his rookie season. When Murray is at his best, the Cardinals truly believe they can compete with anyone in the NFL. And if you give Murray more time to work in the pocket, it could lead to Marvin Harrison Jr. having a big sophomore season after a bit of a disappointing rookie year.