Cardinals locked into No. 3 overall pick for 2026 NFL Draft after loss to Rams
The Arizona Cardinals are slotted into the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft following Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Watch: Tyler Allgeier surprising reaction to the Cardinals drafting another running back | 7 mins
The Arizona Cardinals are currently slotted into the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft following Sunday’s 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
A New York Giants win over the Dallas Cowboys helped move the Cardinals up the draft order after entering the week of games at No. 5 overall.
Regardless of whether or not the Cardinals beat the Rams on Sunday, Arizona was destined to pick no later than No. 7 overall.
At 3-14, the Cardinals are in need of a major bounce back. What they do with their top-three pick could greatly impact that.
With the expectation the Cardinals move on from quarterback Kyler Murray, Arizona could likely be in the mix for its next franchise signal caller of the future this offseason.
And at No. 3 overall, Arizona could be in the position to stick and pick its next arm. General manager Monti Ossenfort could also swing for the fences and move up the draft order by packaging the first-round pick and more.
Had the Cardinals been outside the top five, a potential trade up would have resulted in even more capital used.
Still, a lot hangs on what the QB-needy teams (Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets) ahead of the Cardinals decide to do when April rolls around. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza figures to be the top quarterback prospect taken this draft. Oregon’s Dante Moore and Alabama’s Ty Simpson are other options to consider if they decide to go pro.
Fans can get another look at both Mendoza and Moore this College Football Playoff, with Indiana and Oregon facing off in the Peach Bowl on Friday.
Arizona could also look at adding to the offensive line, another worthwhile move given the issues this season.
Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano is the top name to watch in that regard. Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa marks another prospect to keep tabs on this offseason.
Where Cardinals sit in 2026 NFL Draft order
1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
Related
Cardinals' opponents for 2026 include Cowboys, Lions
Cardinals' Michael Wilson surpasses 1,000-yard mark
Perception of Jonathan Gannon has changed drastically with Cardinals' 3-14 season
Rapid Reactions: Where do Cardinals go from here?
49ers' George Kittle was a Cardinals fan this weekend: 'Let's go Budda and Trey McBride'
Jeremiyah Love listed as RB2 on Cardinals’ 1st depth chart of preseason
Comments
32 Comments
My money is on the Cardinals blowing it, again.
Take the top OL on the board either the kid from Utah or Miami. No way in he&& im taking Simpson at 3. Heck he got destroyed in the Rose Bowl and i dont recall any QB's from Bama ever making it in the NFL. If someone wants to move up to 3 and you can move down no further them 9 or 10 and still get one of the OL I do that. But if Monti is making the pick he's taking another 1st rd bust from Ohio State just like 2 of the last 3 yrs with Harrison and Johnson. Trade both of them as well at this point.
Trade Will Johnson? The "phantom" who is on every All NFL Rookie Team on the planet, and on most of those polls he was a unanimous pick? Yeah, right..... ROTFLMAOSMH