The dust surrounding free agency has settled. The Cardinals added key pieces at offensive guard with Isaac Seumalo and bolstered the backfield with Tyler Allgeier. James Conner's restructured contract keeps him around for the potential 1-2 punch with Allgeier. There remain needs at edge rusher and right tackle, which experts project the Cardinals target in the draft.
The clock is ticking towards draft day on April 23.
This mock draft tracker, the second of six versions, will feature opinions from NFL experts about their choices for the Cardinals at pick No. 3.
EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
As the top pass rusher in the draft, David Bailey continues to be linked to the Cardinals. Bailey's speed pops off the tape and his ability to get to the quarterback all but locks in his place as a top-five selection come draft day. No power-conference edge rushers had more sacks and tackles for loss than Bailey's 14.5 sacks and 23 TFLs. The pressure he could generate on the defensive front seven would open up more opportunities for Josh Sweat and the other outside linebackers.
What some of the experts are saying:
"Edge rusher is a premium position. Although the offensive line is more important, there's not a prospect who warrants consideration at this spot. Arizona adds a ready-made pass rusher to a defense with a tremendous amount of young talent." - Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
"A blur off the edge, Bailey would pair with Josh Sweat to give the Cardinals a fearsome tandem with which to throw off the NFC West's high-powered offenses." - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
"The Cardinals wisely added veterans Isaac Seumalo and Elijah Wilkinson to their offensive line in free agency. While they still have work to do with that unit, reaching for one here isn't necessary. Instead they add a difference-making pass rusher in Bailey, who can team up with Walter Nolen and Josh Sweat to get this defense off the field." - Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
Others who have mocked Bailey to the Cardinals: Joel Klatt, Fox Sports; Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic; Steve Serby, New York Post
OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
As the draft gets closer, Francis Mauigoa continues to separate himself from Spencer Fano and Monroe Freeling as the best offensive tackle in the draft. While the Cardinals signed Elijah Wilkinson and have second-year tackle Josh Fryar in the building, Mauigoa provides stability on the offensive line for the foreseeable future. If Bailey or one of the other defensive prospects catch Monti Ossenfort's eye more than a right tackle at No. 3, there could be other highly-graded offensive tackles available in the second round. Arizona State's Max Iheanachor and Clemson's Blake Miller are two players some experts say could slide to Day Two.
What some of the experts are saying:
"The Miami standout would give them a 'plug-and-play' edge blocker to build around. Mauigoa's dominance as a mauler could set the tone for the offense as head coach Mike LaFleur kicks off a new era." - Bucky Brooks, Fox Sports
"Arizona lands the draft's top offensive lineman in Mauigoa. He's a plug-and-play guy at right tackle." - Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
"Mauigoa is a powerful right tackle that an offense can build its run game around, and his ceiling is as high as that of any tackle in this class. The combination of Mauigoa and Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. could be one of the league's best tackle duos in short order, and having those two positions taken care of would help speed up this rebuild." - Diante Lee, The Ringer
Others who have mocked Mauigoa to the Cardinals: Justin Melo, Sports Illustrated; Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports
LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Although the majority of the mock drafts have Arvell Reese projected to go to the Jets, because of David Bailey's rise some believe Reese could be available when the Cardinals are on the clock. Reese's measurements, build, and play style are compared to Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons. Like Parsons, his time in college was split between rushing the passer and a traditional coverage linebacker. At 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, and a 4.46 40-yard dash time, Reese has the speed and strength that is better suited for an edge rusher role. His versatility would be valuable in Nick Rallis' defense.
What some of the experts are saying:
"When picking this high, it's a reminder that the best way to rebuild a roster and sustain success is by being disciplined in drafting for value. Reese, who has as much upside as any defensive player in this class, would give Arizona a building block in its front seven." - Field Yates, ESPN
"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." - Nate Davis and Ayrton Ostly, USA Today
"The Cardinals weren't much better than the Jets in the sack department, tying for 28th with 30. Josh Sweat needs a running mate, and Reese has the instincts and burst to get home on the QB. Of course, Reese also played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State, and though he said during the combine that he would be an NFL edge rusher, that sort of versatility is a big plus. He had 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season." - Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
The last time an off-ball linebacker was selected in the top five was Devin White in 2019. It's rare for an inside linebacker to be taken this high, but not every prospect has a career and combine performance like Sonny Styles did. Since converting to linebacker in 2024, Styles had 183 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Buckeyes. With his 4.46-second 40-yard dash speed, Styles is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker that runs around like a safety. Per PFF, Styles only missed two tackles this past season. The Ringer compares Styles to Devin Lloyd, who recently signed a three-year contract worth $45 million with the Panthers.
What some of the experts are saying:
"A top-three pick feels high for an off-ball linebacker, but Styles has the chance to be a transformative talent at the position in a league that has almost no elite linebackers. Styles has the size and speed to attack all areas of the field, played well in coverage and has use as a blitzer. Styles would immediately slide in as the top dog on the Cardinals' defense and be an interesting case study (no matter where he's drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no other teams have (a healthy) one." - Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
"They could also use a rangy, active playmaker to help dominate on the second level for Nick Rallis." - Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
Other players mocked to the Cardinals:
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Gordon McGuinness, PFF)
OT Spencer Fano, Utah (Mike Renner, CBS Sports)
