The 23^rd of April in 2026 starts new hope again for the Arizona Cardinals. The NFL Draft is upon us!

The Cardinals have the following picks in the 2026 NFL Draft:

So, the Cardinals cannot afford to screw up the #3 overall pick. If this had been a QB heavy draft I'd be screaming for a QB here (and I think they should draft a QB every 3 years or less until they actually find a leader!). The Cardinals need the following positions: QB, Edge/OLB, OT, RB, ILB. I would love to see a premier OLB/Edge rusher at #3 and fill in the OL late. Edge OLB David Bailey comes to quick mind or if LB Arvell Reese somehow drops to #3 the Cardinals should be running to the podium on Thursday Night. Other options are OT Francis Mauigoa, Edge David Bailey (as mentioned above), LB Sonny Styles, OT Spencer Fano and RB Jeremiyah Love would also make strong picks. The league would be stunned with RB Jeremiyah Love selection, but I'd LOVE to see it! QB Ty Simpson has been mocked at #3 but that just cannot happen. Simpson is not proven and may not go in the first round.

In the second round, the Cardinals so see if OT Monroe Freeling falls or the best available athlete.

The Cardinals are sitting in the following position financially:

• Total Salary Cap (Projected): $301.2 million - $305.7 million per team.
• Active Cap Spending: $268.0 million (approx. 84.2% of the cap).
• Dead Money: $3.9 million to $10.9 million currently tied up in former players.
• Top 2026 Cap Hits
• The Cardinals' financial flexibility is heavily impacted by a few key veteran contracts:

We will all be watching on Thursday night. For what it's worth, I just randomly picked a mock draft to look at and it Mocked LB Arvell Reese Ohio State to the Cardinals. If that happens you will hear some hooting and hollering from me! That will make up for passing on LB Wil Anderson a couple years ago (still mad about that one!).

Looking forward to reporting post-draft in May, 2026. Have a great draft!

Go Cardinals! 

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