🏈 Cardinals NFL Draft Predictions 2026: Expert Mock Draft Picks, Team Needs, Best Fits & More
After cutting Kyler Murray and pivoting to Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick and face a pivotal decision between adding a franchise-altering defender or addressing a leaky offensive line that still has questions at right tackle.
As part of our NFL draft predictions for every team, we break down the Cardinals' full draft picks, biggest team needs, ideal prospect fits, mock draft projections, and our prediction for which player Arizona will draft in the first round, which begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET live on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
📊 Cardinals draft picks 2026
See where the Cardinals rank by the latest Super Bowl odds for every team.
| Round | Pick(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | No. 3 |
| 2 | No. 34 |
| 3 | No. 65 |
| 4 | No. 104 |
| 5 | No. 143 |
| 6 | No. 183 |
| 7 | No. 217 |
🆘 Cardinals team needs entering draft
We break down every team's projected NFL win totals with our best Over/Under picks by division.
- Team needs: EDGE, OL, QB, DL, CB
- Key additions: Gardner Minshew (QB), Isaac Seumalo (OG), Tyler Allgeier (RB), Kendrick Bourne (WR), Elijah Wilkinson (OG)
- Key departures: Kyler Murray (QB, Vikings), Dalvin Tomlinson (DL, Chargers), Jalen Thompson (S, Cowboys), Calais Campbell (DL), Evan Brown (OG, Texans)
Josh Sweat was the lone player to generate more than seven sacks on this defense a season ago, and with Campbell still unsigned as a free agent, the pass rush desperately needs more potency. The offensive line got a boost with Seumalo's signing but still has a question at right tackle opposite Paris Johnson Jr. Quarterback looms long-term with Brissett and Minshew serving as bridges, and Arizona could target a developmental prospect later in the draft.
🏈 Cardinals draft prospect fits
I asked NFL draft expert Rob Paul to pick the Cardinals' best prospect fit in a dream scenario, their safest pick, and their best upside pick tonight:
| Pick type | No. 3 pick | Grade | Paul's take |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 Dream pick | David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech | 7.30 | There's plenty of buzz that Bailey could be the pick at No. 2, but if he's not, Monti Ossenfort will likely decide between taking him or an offensive lineman - Bailey's scary first step and relentless motor make him the ideal choice |
| 🛡️ Safe pick | Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami | 7.25 | If the Cardinals want a high-floor player at a premium position, Mauigoa is a mammoth who creates tons of movement in the run game and has the versatility to play guard or tackle |
| 🚀 Upside pick | Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State | 7.40 | Reese has the highest upside of any player in the class, and if he falls to No. 3, Arizona gets a joker defender with the athleticism to rush the passer, set the edge, and spy quarterbacks |
NFL draft prospect profiles
➡️ Arvell Reese draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ David Bailey draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Rueben Bain Jr. draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Sonny Styles draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jeremiyah Love draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Carnell Tate draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Jordyn Tyson draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
➡️ Makai Lemon draft profile: Scouting report, team prediction & draft odds
📝 Cardinals mock draft consensus picks
I went through the final mock drafts from 10 top experts across the industry and gathered their NFL mock draft consensus picks for the Arizona Cardinals' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's who they expect Arizona to draft:
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mel Kiper (ESPN) | Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State (No. 3) |
| Peter Schrager (ESPN) | Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (No. 3) |
| Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) | Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (No. 8) |
| Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) | Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (No. 3) |
| Todd McShay (The Ringer) | Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State (No. 3) |
| Dane Brugler (The Athletic) | Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (No. 3) |
| Mike Renner (CBS Sports) | David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (No. 3) |
| Tice & McDonald (Yahoo) | Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (No. 9) |
| Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) | Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (No. 3) |
| Rob Paul (Sportsbook Review) | Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (No. 7) |
🎯 Cardinals first position drafted
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The Cardinals need help everywhere, but edge rusher and offensive line are the biggest priorities with Josh Sweat as the only proven pass-rusher on the roster. That's why defensive lineman is the favorite in the hours before the draft, though Arizona is widely expected to trade back from No. 3 and accumulate draft capital for 2027's loaded quarterback class.
I broke down the latest NFL draft position odds for all 32 teams ahead of the first round.
🔮 Cardinals draft prediction 2026
See Rob Paul's expert NFL mock draft for projections and analysis of all 32 first-round picks.
Paul's pick at No. 7 (traded back from No. 3): Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
- Pro comparison: Darnell Wright
- Measurables: 6'5" | 329 lbs | 20 years old | RAS: 8.75
With so many holes on the roster, it seems likely that GM Monti Ossenfort wants to trade back and acquire additional future draft capital, especially in a weaker draft class. In this scenario, the Arizona Cardinals add another first-round pick for a potentially loaded QB class in 2027, and still nab a plug-and-play offensive lineman in Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa can start at right tackle as a rookie and immediately give head coach Mike LaFleur a road grader to run behind.
Trade specifics: Cardinals trade pick No. 3 (Round 1) to Commanders for pick No. 7 (Round 1) and a 2027 first-round pick.
🏈 NFL draft predictions by team
See the live NFL draft odds for the top picks from the best NFL betting sites.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, I broke down every team's full draft capital, their biggest needs and ideal prospect fits, the latest mock draft consensus from industry experts, and our draft prediction for their first pick this week:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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