Cardinals still in line for No. 8 pick, take OT Spencer Fano in Field Yates’ mock draft

The Arizona Cardinals, despite losing 10 of their last 11 games, remain in line for the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with four games left to play.

ESPN’s Field Yates projected they would take Utah right tackle Spencer Fano in his latest mock draft, allowing Arizona to beef up a reeling offensive line and find a long-term solution opposite left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

The Cardinals do not have a certain quarterback future, and Yates mocked quarterbacks going first and second in the draft. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza landed with the New York Jets after they traded for the first overall pick in the mock draft, and Oregon’s Dante Moore went second to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The draft order after Week 14 goes as follows:

• Giants (2-11)
• Raiders (2-11)
• Titans (2-11)
• Browns (3-10)
• Saints (3-10)
• Commanders (3-10)
• Jets (3-10)
• Cardinals (3-10)
• Rams via Falcons (4-9)
• Bengals (4-9)

With how close the top of the draft board is bunched up, a lot can change with this order.

Arizona has a non-zero chance to secure the No. 1 overall pick, especially if it loses out. It could also slide to 10th with a couple wins, particularly since it plays the Falcons and Bengals between games against the Texans and Rams.

A lot of these teams play each other down the stretch, as the Saints take on the Jets, Titans and Falcons. The Giants face the Raiders and Commanders. The Bengals and Browns play each other again, as well.

Cardinals take Spencer Fano in mock draft

Fano has started all 12 games for the Utes at right tackle this season and was named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He is 6-foot-6, 308 pounds and is considered the top tackle in the draft class by many national outlets.

Yates projected the Saints take Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa with the fifth pick, and Fano was the second tackle off the board.

The Cardinals are closer to getting on track than their record indicates, and right tackle is where they could start the process. Jonah Williams has been the team’s preferred right tackle over the past two seasons, but he has played in only 15 games, is currently on injured reserve after shoulder surgery and will be a free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, Fano has surrendered just one sack in two years at Utah. His lighter frame has made some scouts think he could thrive at guard, but Arizona could start him out at right tackle and move him inside if needed. Whether it’s Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett or someone else under center for the Cardinals, they’re going to get better protection.

Speaking of quarterback, Yates mocked only one other signal-caller in the first round after Mendoza and Moore, projecting Alabama’s Ty Simpson No. 31 overall to the Rams.

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