Nevada Safety Kitan Crawford Drafted by Arizona Cardinals in 2025 NFL Draft

GLENDALE, Arizona — The Arizona Cardinals selected Kitan Crawford, a safety from Nevada, in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 225th overall pick on April 26, 2025.

Crawford, 23, played his senior season at Nevada after transferring from Texas, where he competed for four years. During his final collegiate year, he recorded an impressive 76 tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass deflections.

The Cardinals focused heavily on bolstering their defense during the draft, spending six of their seven picks to strengthen that area. Crawford stands out with his athleticism, having recorded a 4.41 second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, ranking third among safeties.

His 41.5-inch vertical jump tied for the second-best among all players at the combine. He also showed skill in drills, posting a 4.03 second time in the 20-yard shuttle and a 6.81 second time in the three-cone drill.

“Kitan has tremendous potential,” said Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. “He’s a versatile safety who can cover a lot of ground and make plays on the ball.”

During his time at Nevada, Crawford excelled after transferring, earning honorable mention status in 2024. He demonstrated not only his tackling ability but also his knack for creating turnovers.

Crawford’s evaluation indicates he could be a significant addition to the Cardinals’ secondary, an area that has faced challenges in recent years due to injuries. His anticipated skills may help him become a reliable contributor to the team’s defensive lineup.