Nick Rallis sat in defensive back coach Patrick Toney's office during the draft, watching on a big screen television as a floor above Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort was providing him first with a high-powered defensive lineman and then with a All-American cornerback.
Adding more pieces to a Rallis unit that already was provided big help in free agency led to only one response.
"Good job, Monti," the defensive coordinator said with a grin on Tuesday.
While the offense looks similar to last season, the top offseason storyline has been the defensive upgrades. Outside linebacker Josh Sweat, and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell headline the free agency signees. Also, six of the Cardinals seven draft picks were defensive players, including cornerback Will Johnson in the second round and defensive lineman Walter Nolen III in the first round.
Those additions, on top of the Cardinals investing a first-round pick on Darius Robinson in 2024, reemphasized the need to revamp the front seven.
"You can really wreak havoc up front in the run game and getting after the quarterback," Rallis said. "I love where the whole room is at. They're working really hard and competing."
Throughout the open portion of practices, Rallis has spent a lot of time watching the new-look defensive line, anchored by a first-year defensive line coach in Winston DeLattiboudere III. He'll also visit the outside linebackers and linebacker position groups coached by Matt Feeney and Cristian Garcia respectively.
Images of the Arizona Cardinals during Phase Three of the 2025 offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Benton Whitley (49) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Kitan Crawford (36) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) , Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) , Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) and Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Kitan Crawford (36) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Evan Brown (63) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (59) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (79) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko (80) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Xavier Thomas (54) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jaden Davis (39) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jaden Davis (39) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) and Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (79), Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55), Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Justin Jones (98) and Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins (90) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Baron Browning (5) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe (35) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Evan Brown (63) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier (91) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Dadrion "Rabbit" Taylor-Demerson (42) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman McClendon Curtis (66) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Valentin Senn (69) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trishton Jackson (86) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Helmet during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Anthony Goodlow (95) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Joey Blount (32) during Phase Three of OTAs at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
New voices, whether from young players or new coaches, could unlock some untapped potential. Outside linebacker Zaven Collins has experienced it already with Sweat, who he described as "an awesome dude and great athlete," and Feeney.
"(Feeney) talks about things that some position coaches wouldn't talk about and gives us really good tips and tricks of what to think pre-snap," Collins said. "He's been around great pass rushers as well as great coordinators and good defenses. Learning everything that he's teaching us is awesome."
Some players have their starting roles on lock. Yet there are a handful of positions still up for grabs, especially on the defensive side of the ball. With the Cardinals moving on from Kyzir White, there's an open competition at inside linebacker. The cornerbacks will look to fill Sean Murphy-Bunting’s starting role, and a crowded defensive line room will be trimmed come Week 1 in New Orleans.
While players can separate themselves during this time of year, Rallis is focused on using OTAs to improve technique and will save more in-depth scheme conversations for training camp. With so many new faces, Collins echoed that point, mentioning a clear desire from his teammates to grow as a defense.
Rallis has grown accustomed to change in the NFL. New faces don't faze him. But adaptability, a term often used during Rallis' time with the team, is a good thing. These new additions will open up a world of opportunities for a scheme which has been applauded for its unique traits.
That's one of the reasons why Rallis is optimistic about his new-look defense.
"I love what we did," Rallis said. "We brought in really good talent and competition, and that's going to help, hopefully, get us to play some better defense."
