Cardinals keep adding to the defense in way-too-early 2026 mock draft

Not even a week has passed since the 2025 NFL draft and analysts are already looking ahead.

The Arizona Cardinals leaned heavily on defense this year, using six of their seven picks on that side of the ball. One early projection sees that trend continuing.

The Athletic’s Dan Brugler has Arizona going defense once again in the first round of his way-too-early 2026 mock draft, predicting the Cardinals will select Georgia linebacker CJ Allen with the No. 15 overall pick.

Arizona Cardinals land Georgia LB CJ Allen

The No. 15 spot means Arizona would move up one draft spot and Allen might be a worthy selection at that spot.

It wouldn’t be a proper first-round mock without at least one Georgia defender. Allen was one of the best run defenders in the SEC last season and put several impressive coverage reps on tape.

In 14 games with the Bulldogs last season, Allen recorded 76 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four pass breakups and one interception. Allen’s 89.9 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade was good for seventh among linebackers.

Georgia’s rush defense was good enough for 36th in the nation last year, allowing 129.6 yards per game.

The Cardinals defense could benefit from adding a run-stopping linebacker to help them out.

In 2024, it allowed the 13th most total rushing yards (2,149) and the seventh most rushing yards per carry (4.6).

Georgia LB CJ Allen should be a 2026 first-rounder. Fantastic instincts, pursuit, and play strength pic.twitter.com/CPwg7Dm1MV

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) April 28, 2025

Why Dan Brugler’s mock draft should not be taken too seriously for Arizona Cardinals

As with any way-too-early mock draft, Brugler’s projections should not be taken as scripture. Of the 32 first-rounders in his way-too-early 2025 mock draft, 13 players were selected in the first round, eight in the second round and six returned to school.

Dan Brugler’s Top-10 picks in his 2026 way-too-early mock draft

1. New Orleans Saints: QB Arch Manning (Texas)

2. New York Jets: QB LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)

3. New York Giants: OT Spencer Fano (Utah)

4. Tennessee Titans: Edge T.J. Parker (Clemson)

5. Cleveland Browns: QB Drew Allar (Penn State)

6. Carolina Panthers: DT Keldric Faulk (Auburn)

7. Las Vegas Raiders: S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

8. Indianapolis Colts: OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)

9. Cleveland Browns: OT Austin Barber (Florida)

10. New England Patriots: Edge Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon)

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