We’ve said it before, and we’ll repeat it: it is completely up in the air what the Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals front office choose to do in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The team still needs to answer the glaring question at quarterback. Will they choose to keep or trade Kyler Murray? The growing consensus is that Arizona may move away from Murray, as they opted to start Jacoby Brissett for the remainder of the season.
We also need to determine who the lead running back will be in 2026, as the Cardinals saw three of their backs go down with season-ending injuries. James Conner was the first to fall, and he was followed by Trey Benson and Bam Knight. With such instability at the position, could Arizona draft a running back? Perhaps Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame?
ESPN released their recent mock draft, and they had Arizona going in a different direction than first imagined.
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Cardinals projected to select OL Francis Mauigoa at pick No. 3
Coming out of the University of Miami, Ossenfort will have the chance to see his potential draft target play one more time under the brightest of lights (the National Championship).
Arizona has Paris Johnson Jr. as its cornerstone of the offensive line, but the team would benefit from another tackle. Kelvin Beachum on the otherside is 36 years old, and may be hanging it up rather soon. This would prove to be the opportune time for the Cardinals to select their future pass protector.
In past mock drafts, Arizona has been projected to take Jeremiyah Love, Reuben Bain Jr., and Arvell Reese. While it makes a ton of sense to take Mauigoa at No. 3, his name hasn’t gotten that mainstream in Cardinals mocks.
Perhaps this will put him on the map for Ossenfort and company.