The Arizona Cardinals are staring down the barrel of a franchise-altering spring. Honestly, finishing 3-14 usually feels like a total disaster, but in the desert, it’s just another Tuesday—except this time, it comes with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
You’ve probably seen the headlines already. Kyler Murray’s future is a giant question mark, Jonathan Gannon is out of the building, and GM Monti Ossenfort is essentially holding the keys to a very expensive, very broken Ferrari.
If you’re looking at an Arizona Cardinals mock draft right now, you aren't just looking at names on a board. You’re looking at a crossroads. Does this team blow it all up and grab a new savior under center, or do they build a fortress around the next guy?
The Kyler Murray Elephant in the Room
Let's be real: the K1 era feels like it’s reaching its final chapter. Ossenfort has been remarkably non-committal lately, saying "all options are on the table." That’s GM-speak for "we’re shopping for a new car but haven't found a trade-in value we like yet."
With the third pick, the Cardinals are in a weird spot. If the New York Jets or the Raiders (picking ahead) snag the blue-chip QBs like Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore, Arizona might be left holding the bag.
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Some scouts, like the folks over at PFF, think Dante Moore is the "perfect" fit if he slides to three. But Moore’s recent performance against Indiana in the CFP semifinals was... well, it wasn't great. He looked rattled. If he’s gone, do you really reach for Alabama’s Ty Simpson? Probably not.
Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft: Defensive Reinforcements or O-Line Walls?
If the QBs are gone, or if Monti decides to roll with a veteran like Jacoby Brissett for a "bridge" year, the focus shifts to the best player available. And right now, that looks like an Ohio State reunion.
The Case for Arvell Reese
Lately, every Arizona Cardinals mock draft worth its salt is mocking linebacker Arvell Reese to the desert. He’s a freak. We’re talking about a guy who tied for fourth in the nation with eight sacks—from the linebacker position.
The Cardinals' defense ranked 28th in the league during the second half of 2025. They couldn't stop a nosebleed, let alone a divisional rival like the Rams or 49ers. Reese gives them that "downhill" violence they’ve lacked since, well, forever.
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Building the Trench
Then there’s the Francis Mauigoa argument. He’s a massive 6-foot-6 tackle out of Miami. Pair him with Paris Johnson Jr., and suddenly you have two towers protecting whoever is throwing the ball.
- Pros: Total protection, instant run-game upgrade.
- Cons: It’s not a "sexy" pick for a fanbase that just watched a 3-win season.
Mid-Round Values You Should Watch
It’s not all about the first round. The Cardinals have holes everywhere. Like, literally everywhere.
I’m personally keeping an eye on the second round (Pick 34). If the Cardinals don't take a receiver early, look for someone like Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt. Marvin Harrison Jr. had a bit of a sophomore slump in 2025—partly due to injuries and partly because he was the only person defensive coordinators cared about. Harrison needs a "Robin" to his "Batman."
In the backfield, things are just as messy. James Conner is a warrior, but he’s turning 30 and coming off foot surgery. Trey Benson has been battling a meniscus issue. Taking Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame in the late first or early second would be a dream, but he might not last that long.
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What Most People Get Wrong
Most fans assume the Cardinals must take a QB at No. 3. But look at Ossenfort’s history. He loves to trade back. In 2023, he turned the No. 3 pick into a haul and still got Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 6.
If a team like the Giants or the Saints gets desperate for Ty Simpson or even a guy like Garrett Nussmeier, don't be shocked if Arizona moves down to the 7-10 range. They need volume. They need bodies.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re tracking this team, here is what actually matters over the next few months:
- The Head Coach Hire: A defensive-minded coach (like a Robert Saleh type) might demand Arvell Reese. An offensive guru will want the QB or the Tackle.
- Kyler’s Contract: Watch the "dead cap" numbers. If they find a trade partner before the draft, the No. 3 pick is almost certainly a quarterback.
- Free Agency Spending: If the Cardinals sign a veteran guard or tackle in March, it signals they are going defense or QB at the top of the draft.
The Cardinals have a chance to reboot the entire franchise here. Whether they go with a defensive stud like Reese or a foundational tackle like Mauigoa, the 2026 Arizona Cardinals mock draft cycle is going to be the most intense one we've seen in a decade.
Your Next Steps:
Keep a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Specifically, watch the 40-yard dash times for Arvell Reese and the medical reports on Dante Moore. Those two factors will dictate exactly what happens when Arizona is on the clock in April. Check the official team salary cap space on OverTheCap to see how much room they actually have to replace the nine "cut candidates" currently projected to leave the roster.