Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft
National Football League Mock Draft • 2026 Season
Arizona Cardinals Draft Analysis
At 3-14 and picking third overall, Arizona is in full rebuild mode after parting ways with Kyler Murray. New head coach Mike LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett have the infrastructure to develop a young quarterback, but the priority at No. 3 may not be the signal-caller just yet. David Bailey, the Texas Tech edge rusher who led FBS with 14.5 sacks in 2025, is a popular projection here. Bailey's explosiveness off the edge would fill a glaring need that became even more pressing after Josh Sweat reportedly asked for a trade. In a division with the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks, Arizona needs a pass-rush anchor to build the defense around.
Several mock drafts have connected the Cardinals to Francis Mauigoa, the Miami offensive tackle, as another option at No. 3. Mauigoa could be a long-term right tackle solution across from Paris Johnson Jr., giving Arizona a foundation on the line regardless of who ends up playing quarterback. There is also growing buzz around the Cardinals trading back to accumulate additional picks while still landing a top defender like Sonny Styles or Rueben Bain Jr., then using a second first-round pick acquired via trade to take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. That kind of bold two-pick approach would let Arizona grab an elite defensive talent and still address the quarterback position, all while keeping an eye on the potentially stronger 2027 quarterback class. However the Cardinals play it, this draft will define the direction of the LaFleur era.
How It Works
Pick your players
Select up to 5 players you think the Arizona Cardinals will draft, in the order you expect them to be picked.
Submit before draft day
Lock in your predictions and share them on social. Your entry is saved to the public leaderboard.
Get scored automatically
After the official National Football League Mock Draft Draft, every submission is scored. Exact player at the exact slot earns 15 pts, right player in the wrong slot earns 8, and matching the position group earns 5.
No account required. Scores are calculated after the real draft concludes. Full scoring guide →
Or create a private league →Draft Research
Who do you want the Arizona Cardinals to take?
Pick your ideal Arizona Cardinals draft and share it on social before draft day. Want to compete? Enter your picks in the Arizona Cardinals draft contest and see how you stack up.
Picks Selected
0of 5 max
Selections Remaining
5
Positions Covered
0
Player Pool
319 availableYour Arizona Cardinals Draft
Pick 1 = their first selection, Pick 2 = second, and so on.
How the Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Works
Predict the players you think the Cardinals will select in the National Football League Draft, in the exact order you expect them to be picked.
You can select up to 5 players from the prospect pool. Add your reasoning for each pick to make your case, then share your Arizona Cardinals mock draft on social media before draft day.
Ready to compete? Lock in your picks to enter the Arizona Cardinals draft contest. After the official draft, every submission is scored and ranked on the public leaderboard the most accurate predictions win.
2026 Draft Picks
7 picks · NFL Draft
Pick #3(#3 overall)
Pick #2(#34 overall)
Pick #1(#65 overall)
Pick #4(#104 overall)
Pick #3(#142 overall)
+2 more picks in rounds 6, 7
Front Office & Staff
2025 Record
Arizona Cardinals
How to Score Points
💡 Casual fan?
You don't need to know every player. Predicting the positions a team needs still scores!
Scores calculated after the official draft.
Draft History
296 picks · 1990–2025
Walter Nolen
Ole Miss
Will Johnson
Michigan
Jordan Burch
Oregon
Cody Simon
Ohio State
Denzel Burke
Ohio State