There was no white smoke coming out of the Dignity Health Training Center, but these Cardinals welcomed new faces to the organization on Thursday.
On the eve of rookie minicamp, outside linebacker Jordan Burch, cornerback Denzel Burke, offensive lineman Hayden Conner, and safety Kitan Crawford signed their first NFL contract.
All were for the standard four years through the 2028 season.
Even with the addition of Josh Sweat during free agency, there was a desire to add another pass-rusher to the outside linebacker rotation. Burch, the Cardinals third-rounder, started to find his footing at the collegiate ranks once he transferred to Oregon. In 24 games with the Ducks, Burch collected 18.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Standing at 6-foot-4, 279 pounds, his frame is NFL-ready.
Burke returns home after the Cardinals gave him a call in the fifth round. An Arizona native, Burke played his high school ball at Brophy Prep and Saguaro before spending the next five years at Ohio State. He was a part of the same 2021 class with Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
After selecting Will Johnson in the second round and heavily investing in the position in the previous two drafts, the Cardinals took a shot at the position once more in Burke. The 5-foot-11 cornerback started 51 games during his four seasons with the Buckeyes. While it's not NFL experience, his time lining up across from five first-round wide receivers will be valuable as minicamp kicks off.
The lone offensive player added in the draft was Conner. The 6-foot-6 offensive lineman was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the top offensive lineman, in back-to-back seasons. According to PFF, Conner did not allow a sack on 617 pass blocking snaps in 2024. Conner will vie for a role as an offensive guard with the likes of Evan Brown and Isaiah Adams but has the versatility to play all five O-line positions.
Crawford also inked his rookie deal. The seventh-rounder, who was a special teams ace in college with 1,010 snaps, joins a team that emphasizes that phase of the game. He will have the opportunity to not only learn from Budda Baker in the safety room, but also from the Cardinals' own special teams star in Joey Blount.
Walter Nolen III, Will Johnson, and Cody Simon are the remaining draftees yet to sign their rookie contracts.
