The Arizona Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft this upcoming April, and while we are still a few months out, one factor is beginning to come to fruition. That being the fact that the team likely goes offensive line with that draft pick.
With 36-year-old Kelvin Beachum being a free agent, the Cardinals need to target his replacement either in free agency or via the draft. It seems more likely that they follow the latter.
NFL experts across the league, such as NFL.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and CBS, project the Cardinals to select offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa out of the University of Miami. With a playoff run on his résumé and experience against tough opponents, it makes sense to go with him at this pick. After all, he stands at 6’6 in height and 335 lbs.
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However, despite the media projecting Mauigoa, another source predicts the Cardinals to draft Utah tackle Spencer Fano.
That second source is Vegas (Kalshi in particular), and they give Fano 2% higher odds than Mauigoa to be selected at pick No. 3. But if we’re being honest, the odds are incredibly close, as Fano only leads 29% to 27%.
Matter of fact, as of February 11, Mauigoa has dropped 3% with Fano moving up at the same rate. Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has risen 8% with a 26% chance of being selected at this pick. The reason he has these high odds is that he will most likely be selected at No. 2 overall, and if, for some reason, he does fall, the Cardinals will go in and get him.
Despite what the experts believe, the betting odds are starting to flip either way, and it will be something to pay attention to as we move towards free agency.