The Arizona Cardinals have already gone through a lot of change this offseason. Mike LaFleur is the team’s new head coach and Kyler Murray is out at quarterback, signaling a new era in Arizona. The Cardinals made some solid move during NFL free agency, but they’ll need to add even more talent if they want to compete for a playoff spot in 2026.
As a result, Arizona will be under a lot of pressure during the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cardinals enter the draft with the third overall pick, which many fans assume will become a blue chip defensive player. This is a big opportunity for LaFleur to put his stamp on the roster and establish a new identity in the desert.
Does that mean LaFleur will take a best player available approach to the draft? Or will he have a few surprises in store for Cardinals fans?
Here are three Cardinals bold predictions before the draft.
Cardinals do not trade up for Alabama QB Ty Simpson
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At this point in the offseason, Arizona not making a play for Simpson would be a huge surprise.
The Cardinals are in a desperate spot at the quarterback position. Arizona’s best options are Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Both players are solid as backup quarterbacks, but neither is an inspiring starting option anymore.
Unfortunately, the 2026 draft class has few options at quarterback beyond Fernando Mendoza. Hence the persistent rumors about Arizona pursuing Simpson.
Multiple mock drafts have the Cardinals trading up for Simpson, grabbing him at the bottom of the first round to receive a fifth-year option on his rookie contract. It is the same gambit New York made for Jaxson Dart last year.
So why won’t they do it?
The Cardinals would be wise not to reach on a quarterback this year. Simpson is still a solid option for them, but trading up for him could be a bit of a reach.
Arizona should still keep Simpson on their draft board though. If he falls out of the first round, the Cardinals could attempt to trade up to the 33rd overall pick. That trade would almost certainly be cheaper than hopping into the first round.
If the Cardinals miss out on Simpson, they can always circle back to the quarterback position during a loaded 2027 NFL Draft.
Arizona trades down from the third overall pick
The first bold prediction may be the most unpopular with fans. But this one just seems the most unlikely.
The 2026 draft class is loaded with defensive talent, especially at the top of the draft. If the Raiders go chalk and draft Mendoza then the Cardinals should have their pick of almost any defensive prospect. Minus whichever player the Jets pick at two, of course.
As a result, it would be quite surprising if Arizona did not take the opportunity to grab an elite defensive player.
What could prompt the Cardinals to do something different? There are a few possibilities.
First, Arizona might want to load up on 2027 draft picks by trading down. They could have their eyes set on trading up for a quarterback during next year’s draft class.
But the more likely option is simply getting an incredible offer from another team.
The Cowboys are rumored to want a player who the Giants also want to draft. New York picks at fifth overall, so Dallas would need to trade above that point to steal that player from their division rival.
If Dallas makes an incredible offer for Arizona’s pick, it could make sense to take the value without asking further questions.
Cardinals only use one draft pick on an offensive player
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
LaFleur is an offensive-minded head coach, so it stands to reason that he’ll want to add personnel who fit his system. But the Cardinals cannot ignore their defense too much.
Arizona retained defensive coordinator Nick Rallis for the 2026 season. That decision should bring some stability to Arizona’s defense in 2026 at the start of the LaFleur regime.
But remember, the Cardinals ranked 27th in yards allowed per game (357.7) and 29th in points allowed per game (28.7) in 2025. LaFleur will almost certainty demand a few changes in the hopes of fielding a better unit in 2026.
Arguably the easiest way to accomplish this is by adding more talent. Arizona only made a handful of external additions on defense during NFL free agency. That suggests further additions could be coming in the draft.
Still, it would be quite surprising if the Cardinals focused the vast majority of their resources on defense. But it certainly could happen given the strengths of this draft class.
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