Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cardinals need former 1st-round pick to bounce back in sophomore season

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated May 29, 2025 4:04 PM ET

GLENDALE – One of the most underrated storylines heading into the 2025 season for the Arizona Cardinals is former first-round pick defensive lineman Darius Robinson. General manager Monti Ossenfort took Robinson 27th overall in the 2024 NFL draft and hoped that the rookie to bulk up D-line for next year. However, the 23-year-old suffered a calf injury during the preseason and was placed on IR.

Robinson was able to return near the end of the 2024 season, appearing in six games. He recorded one sack, one tackle for loss, and 10 tackles in those appearances. Injuries plagued the first-round pick into a disappointing rookie season. Robinson’s sophomore year should be a massive bounce back season for multiple reasons.

What Cardinals need from Robinson:

What Arizona needs from Robinson is to stay healthy. When the team took him last year, he had all the intangibles. His 6’5 285 pound frame made him an attractive prospect to develop. Robinson’s senior season at Missouri had him record 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. The former Tigers defensive lineman had one a stellar final year in the SEC.

At the combine, Robinson illustrated his athleticism with a 35” inch vertical and 9’3” broad jump. The Cardinals took a chance drafting Robinson on his sheer raw potential, and while injuries slowed down that development, all those qualities are still within the young lineman.

The supporting cast in the D-line room is filled with talented veterans that will aid in Robinson’s recovery and development. The Cardinals signed Pro Bowlers like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell, while adding Dalvin Tomlinson. Ossenfort’s addition this offseason will equate to an increase on-field production and helping young lineman take that next step like Robinson.

Arizona has plenty of young edges and defensive tackles that it has drafted in the past two years, notably Walter Nolen and Jordan Burch that it took in last month’s draft. The two newest Cardinals and Robinson will have a rolodex of knowledge from peers that have made it to Super Bowls and Pro Bowls that will give the help needed to dominate the 2025 season.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: