Cardinals’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup with pre-draft cycle ending

Arizona’s draft situation is becoming easier to describe, and they hold the No. 3 overall pick as they approach the final stretch before the draft. This position gives them significant leverage to either select one of the top non-quarterbacks in the draft class, move back to gain extra value, or patiently wait at the top before possibly targeting a quarterback later if interest in Ty Simpson develops further.

ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss recently reported that trading back into Round 1 for Simpson is “not out of the realm of possibility,” and that Arizona has had a favorable view of him for some time.

The ongoing discussion surrounding the first overall pick has mostly stabilized into three main categories: edge rushers, offensive tackles, and occasionally a surprise pick at another critical position.

This scenario makes Arizona one of the more intriguing teams in the upcoming draft, especially with their picks at Nos. 3, 34, and 65 before the draft transitions into the middle rounds, and they have multiple strategies available, as they don’t need to find a quarterback immediately, but are being considered as a team that could.

While they aren’t compelled to stay at the top of the draft, many mock drafts still suggest that the best strategy might be simply to select a foundational player and move on.

The five projections below illustrate this dynamic more effectively than anything else currently circulating.

EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Peter Schrager, ESPN

In his first-round mock draft, Peter Schrager projected Arvell Reese to Arizona, which seems like a perfect fit for the Cardinals. He says that Arizona ranked 29th in points allowed last season, indicating a clear need for a new foundational piece on defense.

Reese offers the potential as a top-end pass rusher and has received positive feedback from coaches. Schrager also mentioned Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love as a wildcard, but ultimately chose Reese for the pick.

The appeal of Reese is that he is the type of player that teams are willing to select early, despite some uncertainty about his specific role, primarily because his athletic profile is too impressive to overlook, and with the Cardinals having several shifting parts on their defense, adding a player who excels as both an edge rusher and a linebacker has significant merit.

New coaching staffs often seek a player who can physically set the tone, rather than just fitting into a scheme, making Reese a logical choice among the options linked to the Cardinals in this draft, and his connection to Arizona has appeared strong for weeks, which typically suggests that analysts believe this fit is more than just a superficial consideration.

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Tim Crean, ClutchPoints

In a recent trade mock, Tim Crean moved Arizona down from the third spot to the seventh, acquiring Francis Mauigoa in a deal with Washington. His explanation was brief:

Arizona secures its right tackle while also gaining additional draft capital that could be valuable later, and this approach is one of the more solid suggestions for the Cardinals, as it tackles both the value of the pick and the structure of the roster.

Mauigoa is a strong fit for Arizona, as this trade scenario allows them to move down without compromising their position, and they can still select a player in a premium position who can play opposite Paris Johnson Jr., thereby helping to improve the offensive line before they focus on the franchise’s quarterback situation.

This consideration is crucial because the Cardinals’ draft strategy also involves determining whether the next iteration of the team should prioritize building from the front line first.

Crean’s mock draft answers this with a resounding yes, and if they can drop a few spots while still being in reach of a tackle with genuine starting potential, plus gain more flexibility for the future, it’s a defensible strategy.

OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Zachary Pereles, CBS Sports

CBS Sports’ latest first-round mock by Zachary Pereles also focuses on the offensive line, but features a different player.

Pereles has the Cardinals selecting Utah tackle Spencer Fano, describing him as an elite athlete at right tackle who would serve as a crucial bookend opposite Paris Johnson Jr, and his broader point is that Mike LaFleur is stepping into a team in transition, and Fano would be a strong addition for whoever ultimately takes over at quarterback.

This shows a lot because it indicates that the debate regarding the tackle position is not limited to one name, and evaluators suggest that Arizona’s best move at No. 3 may not be to force a quarterback choice or pursue a hybrid defender, but rather to solidify the offensive line.

This would make future quarterback decisions much easier, and also, Fano offers a slightly varied perspective compared to Mauigoa, focusing more on movement skills and potential versatility, while Mauigoa is often seen as a more straightforward, plug-and-play right tackle.

Regardless, the recurring theme is that some within the draft community believe Arizona’s smartest approach is to prioritize protection at this draft position, an investment that will continue to be relevant in 2027 and 2028.

LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State 

Nick Wright, FOX Sports 

In his mock draft, Nick Wright from FOX Sports takes a surprising route for the Arizona Cardinals by selecting Sonny Styles.

He emphasizes Styles’ remarkable athleticism, describing him as a rare talent with a 99th-percentile athletic profile, and this exceptional level of movement makes him one of the more unique defenders in this draft class.

Choosing Styles would represent a different strategy compared to selecting Reese, but wouldn’t contradict the goal of enhancing the front seven and altering the physical identity of the defense.

Styles is included in this discussion because he exemplifies how some analysts are interpreting the Cardinals’ needs less by position and more through the lens of overall talent.

If the Cardinals believe their defense lacks a true centerpiece, the distinction between linebacker and edge rusher becomes secondary, and the primary concern is whether a player can significantly impact the front seven and hold up against formidable quarterbacks in their division.

Styles possesses that kind of potential, and while he may not be the most typical selection for the Cardinals, he demonstrates how the draft board could shift away from the expected focus on Reese or a tackle without losing coherence.

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama 

Mike Band, NFL.com 

In another mock draft, Mike Band structures the quarterback conversation more clearly, and instead of forcing Ty Simpson into the No. 3 pick, he suggests the Cardinals trade back into the first round with the Buffalo Bills and take Simpson at No. 26. Band argues that after parting ways with Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew leading the depth chart and are actively seeking a quarterback for the future.

He believes Simpson would be a good fit for Mike LaFleur’s offense as a play-action passer who could develop behind a veteran.

This perspective is particularly insightful, as it illustrates why the Cardinals’ draft situation remains unsettled, and Arizona doesn’t necessarily have to choose between a quarterback and a non-quarterback at No. 3 because they can separate these decisions.

If the team believes Simpson is worth developing but not worth the third overall pick, it makes sense to use the first pick on a premium player and revisit the quarterback situation later, provided the cost is right. This aligns with recent insights from Weinfuss and Band’s mock captures that thought clearly.

What stands out now is that the Cardinals have fewer options, but they are narrowing down to more specific choices, and most credible mock drafts are no longer exploring random positions simply because the Cardinals hold a high pick.

Instead, they’re focusing on a few interconnected strategies: one option adds a premier front-seven athlete, and another improves the offensive line and postpones the quarterback decision, while a third attempts to accomplish both by dividing the draft process into stages.

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