Cardinals bolster offense in 2-round ESPN mock draft

After 27 days of searching, the Arizona Cardinals came to an agreement with Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to be their next head coach on Sunday.

With the most important decision of Arizona’s offseason made, the Cardinals’ focus shifts to the plethora of needs regarding the current roster.

In a two-round mock draft by ESPN’s Matt Miller, Arizona is projected to prioritize the offensive line and wide receiving corps by selecting Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 3 overall and Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard at No. 34.

The Cardinals are widely expected to take an offensive lineman with their first-round selection, and Miller is the latest draft analyst to predict the team will go after Mauigoa with the third pick.

The consensus All-American has been viewed as arguably the top offensive tackle prospect in the class alongside Utah’s Spencer Fano. Coming off a season where Arizona’s offensive line was ranked as the seventh-worst in the league by Pro Football Focus, Mauigoa slots in at a position of dire need.

Mauigoa to the Cardinals is one of the most seamless fits in the first round. Arizona must shore up the offensive line and needs a long-term starter at right tackle opposite Paris Johnson Jr. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Mauigoa was a three-year starter at Miami and allowed only two sacks in 16 games during Hurricanes’ run to the national title game last season. The Cardinals are desperate for that type of consistency, with 36-year-old Kevin Beachum starting 11 games in 2025 and no long-term answer on the roster.

Bernard, however, is a new name being linked to the Cardinals. The Alabama wideout has been largely projected to be a Day 2 pick (rounds 2-3) after recording 114 receptions, 1,656 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons with the Crimson Tide.

The mock draft sees Bernard as the seventh wide receiver taken in the draft, but the first one selected in the second round.

Miller shows concern about the depth at the position considering Greg Dortch and Zay Jones are both slated to become unrestricted free agents and says Marvin Harrison Jr.’s tenure in Arizona hasn’t “quite gone to plan.” Adding Bernard alongside Harrison and Michael Wilson tightens up the supporting cast for whomever is under center for the Cardinals next season.

Bernard has elite ability to make plays after the catch and is a dynamic player who is capable of lining up all over the alignment — including the backfield, in the slot and at X receiver.

Where will the Sun Devils go?

Miller foresees three prospects from Arizona State being selected by the end of the second round, a feat that the program hasn’t seen since 1992.

Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is projected to go No. 14 overall to the Baltimore Ravens as the second wideout off the board after Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.

The following round, Max Iheanachor lands with the Detroit Lions at No. 50 after an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl. Defensive back Keith Abney goes the very next pick at No. 51 to the Carolina Panthers.

Related

Michael Wilson trending up in WR1 battle as Marvin Harrison Jr. has case of the dropsCarson Beck among those needing a boost this Cardinals training camp as pads come onCardinals QB Jacoby Brissett is worth investing in for this seasonDarius Robinson, Michael Wilson among early training camp standouts for CardinalsFreaking out over Nathaniel Hackett’s Jeremiyah Love comments? You shouldn’t beFresh off new deal, Cardinals’ Jacoby Brissett ready to prove his worth and catch some Zs