While the defense of the Cardinals had been in the spotlight all offseason as GM Monti Ossenfort made his upgrades, it was easy to look at the defensive line and the edge players in free agency, and then loop in the secondary and their multitude of choices at cornerback after the draft.

But there might not be any bigger change than at inside linebacker, where Kyzir White has moved on, the team didn't bring back Krys Barnes, and then added free agents Akeem Davis-Gaither and Mykal Walker as well as drafting Ohio State's Cody Simon.

White was the heartbeat of the defense for two seasons, calling the defense and being one of the guys Jonathan Gannon brought in originally to help set a new culture. He is unsigned as of now, although early in the offseason indicated on social media his time in Arizona was over and then his jersey No. 7 was given to new QB Jacoby Brissett.

That was not a surprise, given the additions. The Cardinals still have Mack Wilson Sr. there to play the Will inside linebacker role (and blitz at times outside too.) Neither Davis-Gaither or Walker have played a ton of starter snaps in their career, but then again, the Cardinals signed Wilson -- who hadn't been a consistent starter either -- because they saw a great fit in what he could be in Nick Rallis' defense. Maybe ADG becomes that guy in 2025.

Simon's whole role in college at Ohio State was to play this kind of Mike spot, although he is a rookie and he did arrive in the fourth round. It can be a tough turnaround to play that kind of role from jump; the Cardinals found that out in 2021 when they hoped Zaven Collins could jump right into the lineup and eventually veteran Jordan Hicks was back on the field.

The "Green Dot" -- that playcaller -- will be an important piece to whatever this new-look Cardinals defense can be this season.