Arizona Cardinals Defense Analysis

Season Stats

The Arizona Cardinals defense utilizes a 3-4 Hybrid base scheme under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. Review their latest 2025 coverage stats, pass rush metrics, and coaching adjustments below.

Scheme & Analysis

How good is the Arizona Cardinals Defense?

The Arizona Cardinals have been having a tough time stopping offenses (Rank #29 in points allowed), so there is lots of room for improvement. To make matters worse, they are allowing 5.7 more points per game than the league average.

In the NFC West, they are currently trailing the Seattle Seahawks (#1), Los Angeles Rams (#10) and San Francisco 49ers (#13) in scoring defense.

This unit plays it safe, generating an average amount of disruption relying more on sound positioning. They take what is given but don't consistently force the issue when it comes to generating turnovers.

Total Sacks

Interceptions

Statistically, their front seven production is average compared to the league median, while their secondary is average (10 INTs).

* Grades calibrated to 2024 Regular Season (Weeks 1-16).

See Calculations

Key Playmakers

Budda Baker has been a strong performer in 2025, contributing 120 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 interception to the team's efforts. It also helps that Baron Browning is having a solid 2025, recording 34 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception.

What is the Arizona Cardinals defensive scheme?

Coordinator: Nick Rallis

The Arizona Cardinals defense runs a 3-4 Hybrid under coordinator Nick Rallis.

Base Defensive Front

3-4 Hybrid

3-4 Front (Two-Gap)

Three down linemen, often responsible for two gaps (the player in front). They eat blocks to free up linebackers to make plays.

Tactical Philosophy

Nick Rallis runs a hybrid 3-4 focusing on adaptability and limiting explosives.

Key Principles

AdaptabilityGap ControlMultiple Fronts

Scheme Strengths

✓Unpredictable blitz angles & confusing formations
✓Disguises coverage responsibilities well
✓Versatile against spread offenses

Potential Weaknesses

⚠Vulnerable to outside runs if edge setting fails
⚠Complex gap assignments for defensive line
⚠Requires specific 'two-gap' personnel (Nose Tackle)

Want to understand defensive schemes?
View our Defensive Schemes Glossary

Fantasy & Betting

Defensive Vitals (Key Metrics)

The key metrics for the Arizona Cardinals Defense include their Havoc Score, Ball Production, and Front Aggression.

⚠️ This unit struggles to disrupt opposing offenses. They are reliable for points allowed but lack significant turnover upside.

Havoc Rate

AVG

9.6/g

Turnovers

GOOD

1.4/g

Aggression

POOR

4.1/g

vs 2024 Regular Season Standards

Metric

Per Game

Grade

Why it Matters

Havoc Score

9.6

AVG

They disrupt the offense 9.6 times per game. Low disruption rate. Often indicates a conservative 'Bend-Don't-Break' scheme or lack of pass rush talent.

Ball Production

1.4

GOOD

They force a turnover event (INT or Fumble) 1.4 times per game. They are ball-hawks that give their offense extra possessions.

Front Aggression

4.1

POOR

The Front 7 (Line + LBs) wrecks 4.1 plays at the line of scrimmage per game (Sacks + TFLs).

Metric Definitions• Havoc Score: TFLs + PDs + FFs per game.• Ball Prod: INTs + FFs per game.• Front Aggression: TFLs per game.

Havoc Grading Scale

ELITE > 11.5 GOOD > 10.5 AVG > 9.5 POOR < 9.5

Ball Production Grading Scale

ELITE > 1.6 GOOD > 1.3 AVG > 1.0 POOR < 1.0

Front Aggression Grading Scale

ELITE > 5.8 GOOD > 5.2 AVG > 4.7 POOR < 4.7

Performance Metrics

How is the Arizona Cardinals defense trending?

Last 3 Games vs. Season Average

Steady

28.7 PPG(Last 3)

Their performance has remained steady vs. season average.

Roster & Injuries

Who is on the Arizona Cardinals defense injury report?

Key absences impacting the gameplanAs of Jan 14, 2026

Channing Tindall

Linebacker

QuestionableJan 4

"Impacts coverage over the middle and open-field tackling."

Joey Blount

Safety

Injured ReserveSep 10

"Reduces secondary depth; creates mismatch potential for opposing WRs."

Kei'Trel Clark

Cornerback

Injured ReserveDec 30

"Reduces secondary depth; creates mismatch potential for opposing WRs."

Kitan Crawford

Safety

Injured ReserveJan 1

"Reduces secondary depth; creates mismatch potential for opposing WRs."

Sean Murphy-Bunting

Cornerback

OutMay 28

"Reduces secondary depth; creates mismatch potential for opposing WRs."

Bilal Nichols

Defensive Tackle

Injured ReserveDec 13

"Weakens pass rush rotation and interior run gaps."

Walter Nolen III

Defensive Tackle

Injured ReserveDec 30

"Weakens pass rush rotation and interior run gaps."

J.J. Russell

Linebacker

Injured ReserveAug 27

"Impacts coverage over the middle and open-field tackling."

Starling Thomas V

Cornerback

Injured ReserveJul 27

"Reduces secondary depth; creates mismatch potential for opposing WRs."

Garrett Williams

Cornerback

Injured ReserveDec 24

"Reduces secondary depth; creates mismatch potential for opposing WRs."

Mack Wilson Sr.

Linebacker

Injured ReserveNov 15

"Impacts coverage over the middle and open-field tackling."

Depth Chart

Sorted by Position Group

Defensive Line (7)

43 Tkl • 6.5 Sck

Calais Campbell

6' 8", 315 lbsAge: 39

13 Tkl

Zachary Carter

6' 4", 290 lbsAge: 26

6 Tkl

L.J. Collier

6' 2", 300 lbsAge: 30

32 Tkl

PJ Mustipher

6' 4", 320 lbsAge: 26

43 Tkl • 1 Sck

Darius Robinson

6' 5", 285 lbsAge: 24

34 Tkl

Dante Stills

6' 4", 300 lbsAge: 26

26 Tkl • 1 Sck

Dalvin Tomlinson

6' 3", 335 lbsAge: 31

Linebackers (11)

Elliott Brown

6' 5", 245 lbsAge: 27

34 Tkl • 2 Sck • 1 Int

Baron Browning

6' 3", 255 lbsAge: 26

23 Tkl • 1 Sck

Jordan Burch

6' 4", 280 lbsAge: 24

40 Tkl • 1.5 Sck

Zaven Collins

6' 4", 270 lbsAge: 26

117 Tkl • 1 Int

Akeem Davis-Gaither

6' 2", 238 lbsAge: 28

7 Tkl • 1 Sck

Austin Keys

6' 2", 244 lbsAge: 23

1 Tkl

Eku Leota

6' 4", 257 lbsAge: 26

9 Tkl • 1 Sck

BJ Ojulari

6' 2", 248 lbsAge: 23

27 Tkl

Owen Pappoe

6' 0", 230 lbsAge: 25

76 Tkl • 0.5 Sck

Cody Simon

6' 2", 230 lbsAge: 23

30 Tkl • 12 Sck

Josh Sweat

6' 5", 265 lbsAge: 28

Secondary (10)

120 Tkl • 0.5 Sck • 1 Int

Budda Baker

5' 10", 195 lbsAge: 30

49 Tkl • 3 Int

Denzel Burke

5' 11", 190 lbsAge: 23

3 Tkl

Jaden Davis

5' 10", 182 lbsAge: 24

21 Tkl

Darren Hall

6' 0", 195 lbsAge: 25

37 Tkl

Will Johnson

6' 2", 200 lbsAge: 22

3 Tkl

Elijah Jones

6' 1", 185 lbsAge: 26

Kalen King

5' 11", 190 lbsAge: 22

31 Tkl

Max Melton

5' 11", 187 lbsAge: 23

59 Tkl • 2 Int

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

5' 10", 197 lbsAge: 24

95 Tkl • 1 Sck

Jalen Thompson

5' 11", 190 lbsAge: 27

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