Cardinals Mock Draft Tracker 2026 4.0

A look at the analysts' choices for pick No. 3

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:15pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the dynamic action and strategy of the sport.Analysts weigh the options for the Cardinals' top draft pick, with the team facing key decisions on offense, defense, and the future of their quarterback position.Auburn Today

A look at the analysts' choices for the Arizona Cardinals' third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, including options like offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, linebacker Sonny Styles, and edge rusher David Bailey.

Why it matters

The Cardinals hold a top-3 pick in the draft and have several needs to address, including on the offensive line, at linebacker, and on the edge. Their selection at No. 3 will be a key building block for the team's future.

The details

This mock draft tracker features opinions from NFL experts on who the Cardinals should take with the third overall pick. Among the top options are offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, linebacker Sonny Styles, and edge rusher David Bailey. The experts weigh the pros and cons of each prospect and how they could fit in the Cardinals' roster and scheme.

  • The annual NFL Draft will take place on April 23, 2026.

The players

Francis Mauigoa

An offensive tackle from the University of Miami who is considered a plug-and-play starter and the best run-blocking tackle in the draft class.

Sonny Styles

A versatile linebacker from Ohio State who has elite athleticism and the potential to be a sideline-to-sideline playmaker on defense.

David Bailey

An edge rusher from Texas Tech who had an extremely productive 2025 season with 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss, making him one of the top pure pass rushers in the draft.

Arvell Reese

A linebacker from Ohio State who is praised for his unique blend of linebacker instincts and pass rushing ability, though he lacks experience as a pure edge rusher.

Ty Simpson

A quarterback from Alabama who is generating first-round buzz and could be an option for the Cardinals, especially if they trade back in the draft.

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What they’re saying

“The Cardinals solidify the right tackle position for the next decade with Mauigoa, whose combination of sturdy anchor and intense run blocking make him worthy of this selection.”

— Chad Reuter, NFL.com

“Sonny Styles is one of the best talents in this draft. Offensive line is arguably the biggest need, but there is no point in reaching for a lesser player just to fill it.”

— Josh Edwards, CBS Sports

“The Cardinals could do just about anything here (including taking an offensive tackle or Sonny Styles). But it's pretty impossible to ignore everything Bailey puts on the table as a twitched-up, savvy and productive edge rusher. His bag of tricks is deep, and he could produce a bunch of sacks sooner rather than later.”

— Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic

“The Cardinals need to add blue-chip talent on defense. Reese is arguably the best player in the draft. His elite athleticism and versatility should make him a do-it-all playmaker in the front seven. The Micah Parsons comparisons may be premature, but it would hardly be a surprise if Reese emerges as a top-tier edge rusher.”

— Jacob Camenker, USA Today

“The Cardinals are desperate for young talent at quarterback, as Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis are presently headlining Arizona's depth chart at the position. Simpson's excellent accuracy, ball placement and pocket awareness would make him a nice fit in Mike LaFleur's offense, and the one-year college starter could be afforded a chance to develop behind Brissett and Minshew in 2026.”

— Jacob Camenker, USA Today

What’s next

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The takeaway

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