With the combine in the rear view mirror, the Cardinals scouting department shifts their focus towards the NFL Draft. GM Monti Ossenfort said it's a blessing and a curse that the Cardinals have the third pick in the draft. The curse? The pick is a byproduct of a challenging 2025 season. The blessing? Arizona finds itself in prime position to select a Week 1 difference maker.
The clock is ticking towards draft day on April 23.
This mock draft tracker, the first of six versions, will feature opinions from NFL experts about their choices for the Cardinals at pick No. 3.
OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
If the Cardinals opt for offensive line in the draft, Francis Mauigoa is the overwhelming favorite to be selected. By selecting Mauigoa, the Cardinals could have their bookend tackles of the future with Mauigoa at right tackle and Paris Johnson Jr. at left. If the Cardinals want to get the best player available, there are plenty of defensive players that experts believe rank higher than Mauigoa. However, right tackle is the biggest hole on offense. Unless the Cardinals add a tackle in free agency, there's a good chance a tackle is selected with one of their top picks.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The Cardinals need offensive line help more than anything else. If you think Mauigoa is a starting-caliber player and a two-contract guy (which I do), he's worthy of this spot. He's very solid in run blocking and pass protection, having earned 75.0-plus PFF grades in both this past season." - Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus
"In terms of NFL ceiling, Mauigoa might not be on the level of past No. 3 picks. But this is a different draft, and he brings a high floor — one which would immediately upgrade the Cardinals' right tackle spot." - Dane Brugler, The Athletic
"The Arizona Cardinals cannot afford to miss with this selection. Selecting a safe offensive lineman prospect is an excellent way for a new head coach to begin his tenure. Mike LaFleur could influence general manager Monti Ossenfort to go with Francis Mauigoa, who would quickly start at tackle or guard in his offense. Mauigoa's weigh-in at the NFL Combine indicated he can play tackle." - Justin Melo, Sports Illustrated
Others who have mocked Mauigoa to the Cardinals: Henry McKenna, Fox Sports; Mark Schofield, SB Nation; Mark Morales-Smith, Sports Illustrated
LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
One of the more intriguing players in the 2026 draft class is Arvell Reese. At Ohio State, Reese was a hybrid between an edge rusher and a traditional coverage linebacker, and part of the discussion is figuring out where he could fit in best within an NFL defense. The overall belief is he's likely to play off the edge but maybe that's why he can be a great scheme fit for Nick Rallis' defense if he is available when Arizona is on the clock. His position versatility adds another wrinkle to a Cardinals defense that, at times, had three pass rushers and one defensive lineman on the field.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The Micah Parsons comparisons are obviously premature, but Reese, who turns 21 in August, has plenty of time to develop into a full-time pass rusher and maybe justify the comp one day. And getting to the quarterback is especially important in the NFC West, where the Cards are looking way up at their competition right now." - Nate Davis, USA Today
"Reese was one of several Ohio State stars to dazzle at the combine. While there are still questions about his ideal position fit at the next level, he said during the week that he sees himself as an edge player. Reese's explosiveness would make him an excellent addition opposite Josh Sweat." - Dan Wilkins, The Score
"Arizona shouldn't pass on an elite prospect for a very good one. Reese has several high-percentile traits, versatility and athleticism chief among them, and he can wreck games as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher. The Cardinals' defense would immediately benefit." - Daniel Flick, Sports Illustrated
Others who have mocked Reese to the Cardinals: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com; Ryan McCrystal, Sharp Football Analysis; Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports; Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Before the combine began, the top pure edge rusher to be linked to the Cardinals was Reuben Bain Jr. from Miami. After Bain's arm length of 30 7/8 inches were measured, he began to slide down some draft boards, which allowed for David Bailey to leap-frog him to No. 3. Even with the measurements serving Bailey well, his talent is the reason why he's projected to be a top five pick. This past season, Bailey had 14.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and generated 71 QB pressures.
What some of the experts are saying:
"Simply put, he gets after the QB. That's what the Cardinals need after managing just 30 sacks last season, tied for the third fewest in the NFL." - Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
"The Cardinals have struggled to keep young, talented defensive linemen healthy over the last three seasons, with early draft picks in BJ Ojulari, Walter Nolen and Darius Robinson all missing a significant number of games. However, Bailey is explosive, was productive in college (29 career sacks) and would pair nicely with Josh Sweat to give the Cardinals a potent edge rushing tandem in the ultra-competitive NFC West." - Eric Williams, Fox Sports
"I had the Cardinals go OT here last time, and while it's the more pressing need, David Bailey strikes me as a better value for the Cardinals with this pick than the available tackles." - Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports
Others who have mocked Bailey to the Cardinals: Jordan Reid, ESPN
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
There was no question that Sonny Styles was going to be a top rated draft prospect after he seamlessly switched positions from safety to linebacker in 2024. Since that transition, Styles had 183 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Buckeyes. While those numbers are good, it was the 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a 43.5-inch vertical that has allowed him to soar up draft boards. Nick Baumgardner from The Athletic said Styles was "one of the freakiest freaks to ever freak at the NFL combine." Could Monti Ossenfort return to the Ohio State linebacker room after selecting Cody Simon last season?
What some of the experts are saying:
"Styles' range and smarts as an off-ball linebacker allow him to impact the run and pass, but he also has the length and strength to hold up as an edge rusher for snaps as well. The redbirds could look at offensive line here, too, but Styles' ability to be a steadying force and impact player, with versatility thrown in, makes sense for any type of defense and franchise." - Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
"He's pro-ready. I think he's going to be the next Fred Warner with a little bit of development because he's coming from the safety spot. He's that good of a prospect to me." - Underdog Sports
QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
With the reported news surrounding Kyler Murray's release from the Cardinals, there will no doubt be interest in adding a new quarterback to the room. Could they sign a QB through free agency? Likely that they will. But looking at the 2026 draft class, players like Alabama's Ty Simpson, Penn State's Drew Allar, and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier could all develop into solid QBs. In Simpson's case, he has pulled away as QB2. Some mock drafts have Simpson sliding into the second round, where he could be an option for the Cardinals at No. 34.
However, ESPN's Jordan Reid mocked that the Cardinals would use that second-round pick and a fourth to trade up with the Texans for the 28th pick in the first round.
"I have them trading back into the bottom of the first round to acquire their QB of the future. Simpson is a perfect fit in new coach Mike LaFleur's offense. Simpson operates well off play-action but makes his best throws in the short and intermediate areas. His lack of starting experience (15 starts) makes him a bit of a risk here, but Arizona still has veteran Jacoby Brissett for another year to serve as a bridge until Simpson is ready to be the QB1." - Reid
Other players mocked to the Cardinals:
S Caleb Downs (Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News)
RB Jeremiyah Love (Charles Davis, NFL.com)
OT Blake Miller - via Trade (Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports)
