We have a good idea of how the first two picks of this year’s NFL draft will go. The Raiders are going to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall. Barring something unexpected, the Jets will use the second choice on either Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey or Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese. There is less certainty at No. 3, where the Cardinals could go a handful of different directions.
Arizona has posted a woeful 15-36 record in Monti Ossenfort‘s three seasons as its general manager, but he will nonetheless run his fourth draft this year. If Ossenfort’s seat isn’t hot yet, it stands to reason his chances of being in this position a year from now will decrease if he misses on his first-rounder tonight. While the Cardinals are entering this draft with glaring needs at right tackle and edge defender, among other spots, Ossenfort could opt for a splashy pick to add more skill to a subpar offense.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, arguably the best prospect at any position in this class, has won over the Cardinals’ new Mike LaFleur-led coaching staff. Love could be the Cardinals’ pick, even though they added former Falcon Tyler Allgeier in free agency and still have James Conner, Trey Benson and Zonovan Knight on their roster.
If the Cardinals pass on Love to upgrade in the trenches, they could be the first team to take an offensive lineman. As a rookie GM in 2023, Ossenfort spent the sixth pick on left tackle Paris Johnson, who has turned into a franchise cornerstone. Ossenfort could land a capable bookend for the right side if he grabs someone like Spencer Fano (Utah) or Francis Mauigoa (Miami).
On the defensive side, Reese or Bailey would provide a much-needed pass-rushing upgrade to a unit that tied for 30th in sacks last year. Reese spent a significant portion of his Buckeyes tenure as an off-ball linebacker, but the Cardinals view him as an edge defender going forward.
While there will be enticing prospects available at No. 3, the Cardinals may move down to collect more draft capital. New Orleans, which owns the eighth pick, is one potential trade partner. If the Cardinals trade with the Saints, they would surely receive the eighth selection as part of the package. The Cardinals would still be in good position to upgrade their roster in that scenario. Perhaps Ossenfort will decide trading down is the best option.
What do you expect the Cardinals to do with the third pick tonight? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
If they draft Love their GM should be fired immediately.
Fully agree unless Conner and Benson are both broken and never playing again.. they should be trading back, and they probably will.
Butcher it wasn’t an option so I didn’t vote.
They will screw it up. Just like trading with Seattle to get their “QB” of the future. I hope Seattle takes them to the woodshed.
I spent some time with my friendly AI and we boiled it down to this. I was very honest with the AI and told it Arizona would screw up whatever pick they got.
We ran it through older and this years draft value. Here is what we finished with:
Arizona get Seattles pick 32
Seattle get Arizonas 2026 3rd rnd pick and 2027 1st rnd pick. Before you kill the messenger there were many scenarios we could get their 2nd.
There just more value for the 5th years option. Plus the unknown number for the 2027 pick drops it to a 2 or 3. We also ran it through all the speculators and came up with the same.
The scenario we used was Arizona was bullish about their season next year. I said it is like always they will think big but fail. Also playing 3 teams that are some of the best in the NFL doesn’t help. That means they will think less of their pick next year and covet the 32nd pick this year. An over value and under value on those picks will lean heavy in Seattle’s favor.
Do your own session with your favorite AI and see what you come up with.