After finishing the season on a nine-game losing streak, the Arizona Cardinals officially hold the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the pick officially being locked in, it means the team can go in a multitude of directions in the first round.
There are numerous needs that Monti Ossenfort needs to address this offseason. After all, the team won only three games, five fewer than their previous total. One of the biggest needs is at quarterback, with Kyler Murray’s future with the team uncertain.
On the other hand, Arizona needs to invest more in its running back room and defense. You could also make the argument that the team needs another wide receiver to be paired with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.
Harrison saw a sophomore slump in his second year, as the No. 5 overall pick from 2024 missed four games with injury/illness. When he played, he didn’t live up to the “generational talent” claims that were stamped on him coming out of college. In 12 games, he hauled in 41 catches for 608 yards and four touchdowns.
In Harrison’s absence, the Cardinals saw Michael Wilson step up big time. The third year out of Stanford, he put up wide receiver No. 1-esque numbers, eclipsing 1,000 yards and catching seven touchdowns.
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Arizona could build off Wilson’s excellent year by adding another receiver into the mix, and one in particular who officially declared for the draft. A former national champion as well.
Should the Cardinals draft Carnell Tate?
Overshadowed by Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka in his time at Ohio State, Tate put up exceptional numbers in his two years of substantial action.
2024: 52 catches, 733 yards, 4 touchdowns
2025: 51 catches, 875 yards, 9 touchdowns
Tate, 20, was far more efficient in 2025 and was a huge reason why the Buckeyes were able to be the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff with a freshman quarterback in Julian Sayin.
Tate, alongside Harrison and Wilson, would be huge for whoever is under center in 2026. Whether it's Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett, or someone else entirely, having a wide receiver group as talented as this would be a dream.
The only issue is that the Cardinals have more important needs, such as secondary and running back, which may mean that Ossenfort passes on Tate. But you could only imagine what Cardinals fans would be thinking if they managed to land one of the best receivers in the class.
It will be an interesting next few months for Ossenfort and company, who look to keep their jobs for the long term.