2026 Draft

[Harry]

Anyway you sort this draft it’s weak. Top 10 players, except Mendoza, are pretty much interchangeable. That’s why I like trading down. I have the highest bust % on Reese. Suggestions to trade this year’s picks for next years will not bring back equivalent positions. Everyone expects next year to be much stronger, especially round 1. The really deep positions this year are WR & IOL. The Edge & CBs are interesting. Lots of kickers. A few people think Mauigoa is best at guard. Looks to me like Cards will get at least a round 3 for Murray. Of course if the Cards pay down the cost of Murray for the acquiring team, a round 2 pick is possible. Assuming Murray is traded I expect a rookie QB. Nussmeier seems to have the best starter potential. I think Beck & Allar are Fool’s Gold, though they might look good early, especially Beck. I can’t see how the Cards can win a bidding war for Willis. Free Agency appears to mostly be bandaid options.

 

[MTCardinal]

The reasons why trading down appeals to Cardinals fans are unfortunately the same reasons why other teams will likely be reluctant to trade up. I say keep it simple, take the best OL player on your board at #3 and then a QB lottery ticket later on at some point on Day 2 or 3. Worst case scenario would be to reach for a guy like Ty Simpson at #3 when next year's QB class is going to be so good and all signs point to the Cardinals having another high pick in 2027.

 

[GatorAZ]

Mendoza and Bailey are my top-2 guys followed by Jeremiyah Love at #3. Third guy could change depending on how the tackles test out. I’m not as interested in Bain, Reece or Downs without high level defensive coaching/development in place. Mendoza and Bailey are the only prospects that don’t scare me.

I’m completely good with Simpson in the 2nd rd.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Mendoza and Bailey are my top-2 guys followed by Jeremiyah Love at #3. Third guy could change depending on how the tackles test out. I’m not as interested in Bain, Reece or Downs without high level defensive coaching/development in place. Mendoza and Bailey are the only prospects that don’t scare me.

I’m completely good with Simpson in the 2nd rd.

My dream draft would be the Miami offensive tackle at 3….Simpson at 34 and Coleman the Washington runner at 65….

 

[GatorAZ]

My dream draft would be the Miami offensive tackle at 3….Simpson at 34 and Coleman the Washington runner at 65….

.
Mauigoa had some not so great tape at times this year but he is still 20. He may be a guard which is why I’m waiting for his numbers.

 

[Goodyear Card]

Draft the best available player with each pick. We have needs everywhere. Don't trade down. That has rarely work for us.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

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Mauigoa had some not so great tape at times this year but he is still 20. He may be a guard which is why I’m waiting for his numbers.

Bailey …Reese and Bain had some bad tape too….i don’t want a safety or a rb at 3…..and this team is going nowhere until the o line is fixed

 

[GatorAZ]

Bailey …Reese and Bain had some bad tape too….i don’t want a safety or a rb at 3…..and this team is going nowhere until the o line is fixed

We know what Bailey is though. Every team needs explosive edge guys even if they’re not complete players.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

We know what Bailey is though. Every team needs explosive edge guys even if they’re not complete players.

Not at 3….they have to do both….

 

[GatorAZ]

Not at 3….they have to do both….

Depends on the draft.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Depends on the draft.

Yeah but we know Monti is all about character and Bailey doesn’t fit … besides there is talk the jets are taking him anyway

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Even though we got smoked the last time we tried it, obviously the correct move for us is to trade down or trade for 2027 assets.

And of course since we’re the star-crossed Cardinals, we can look forward to the strategy blowing up in our faces like we’re Wiley E. Coyote.

 

[DVontel]

Don’t understand how you or others say this draft is weak, but then expect a team to trade up in the same draft.

 

[oaken1]

.
Mauigoa had some not so great tape at times this year but he is still 20. He may be a guard which is why I’m waiting for his numbers.

Truth.
Some folks may disagree with this on principal... but if dude develops into a 10X pro bowler 5X All Pro,....then even as a guard he is worth the 3rd overall pick in my book.

we are in position to need both...so draft his as our RT and if he is having issues kick him inside to OG.

Add to him with a C/OG in the second or third round....there are some strong IOL candidates in this draft.....
our division is deadly from the IDL position so we need really strong interior guys...and in the end, TE is a strength on this team...maybe the only legit strength we have...so if our RT struggles this year we can always keep an extra guy in or at least chip with the TE to buy the RT .5 seconds for his setup....then take another shot at RT next year.

 

[oaken1]

Don’t understand how you or others say this draft is weak, but then expect a team to trade up in the same draft.

come on man. you know full well all it takes is one team to fall in love with one guy.
if they think a guy is great they also tend to think others do as well so they fear getting left out...so they go get him.

doesnt mean it will happen of course...but the odds are good there is some scout out there right now convincing their GM that Arvell Reese or Reuben Bain will propel them into a top 5 defense....with a little fireworks at the combine and those odds go up.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Truth.
Some folks may disagree with this on principal... but if dude develops into a 10X pro bowler 5X All Pro,....then even as a guard he is worth the 3rd overall pick in my book.

we are in position to need both...so draft his as our RT and if he is having issues kick him inside to OG.

Add to him with a C/OG in the second or third round....there are some strong IOL candidates in this draft.....
our division is deadly from the IDL position so we need really strong interior guys...and in the end, TE is a strength on this team...maybe the only legit strength we have...so if our RT struggles this year we can always keep an extra guy in or at least chip with the TE to buy the RT .5 seconds for his setup....then take another shot at RT next year.

This!!! The colts are happy with Nelson….who went high ….

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

This!!! The colts are happy with Nelson….who went high ….

But Nelson was a highly regarded GUARD prospect. Mauga is a RT. To draft him with the intention of moving him to guard is irresponsible. Who, other than the Cards, takes a top 3 guy with the intention of moving him to a different position? Has he even ever played OG?
Tackles that get moved to guard are moved because they couldn't handle playing OT at an NFL level. Not ideal for the #3 overall pick.

 

[DVontel]

but the odds are good there is some scout out there right now convincing their GM that Arvell Reese or Reuben Bain will propel them into a top 5 defense...

Wouldn’t that make sense for our scout to be that guy if those players would propel them into a top 5 defense?

 

[Cardinal88]

Let's face it, Monte hasn't had a great draft yet. In my opinion, I think trading down is a little cowardly thinking. If you scouted correctly and at 3, you have an opportunity to find a potential high producing pro bowler/all pro, you draft him. We have so many holes in the team, anyone will help if they are a pro bowler/all pro.

My fear is that Monti and his scout team can't make up their minds so they trade down and then let others choose first leaving us with the left overs.

 

[Harry]

Don’t understand how you or others say this draft is weak, but then expect a team to trade up in the same draft.

The top 10 prospects are not weak

 

[Harry]

Let's face it, Monte hasn't had a great draft yet. In my opinion, I think trading down is a little cowardly thinking. If you scouted correctly and at 3, you have an opportunity to find a potential high producing pro bowler/all pro, you draft him. We have so many holes in the team, anyone will help if they are a pro bowler/all pro.

My fear is that Monti and his scout team can't make up their minds so they trade down and then let others choose first leaving us with the left overs.

It’s not so must about picking who’s best, it’s more about having several needs and seeing several players as being equally functional. Also, even in this draft, if they could add an early second round pick that could provide a useful player as well.

 

[Chopper0080]

But Nelson was a highly regarded GUARD prospect. Mauga is a RT. To draft him with the intention of moving him to guard is irresponsible. Who, other than the Cards, takes a top 3 guy with the intention of moving him to a different position? Has he even ever played OG?
Tackles that get moved to guard are moved because they couldn't handle playing OT at an NFL level. Not ideal for the #3 overall pick.

I guess I don't understand your point. The idea with drafting Mauigoa at 3 is to get a RT. People are saying it is safe because his skill set also projects very to OG which means if he doesn't work out at RT, you can kick him inside to OG.

It's the Leonard Davis thinking. (Similar to Will Campbell, Rashawn Slater, Justin Pugh, Fuaga, Wirfs, Wills, Riley Reiff, Bryan Bulaga, Fautanu, Brandon Scherff)

 

[ACY]

Dallas falls in love with someone and offers #12 and #20. Then pick the best OT and OG. Oline fixed.

 

[Stout]

I guess I don't understand your point. The idea with drafting Mauigoa at 3 is to get a RT. People are saying it is safe because his skill set also projects very to OG which means if he doesn't work out at RT, you can kick him inside to OG.

It's the Leonard Davis thinking. (Similar to Will Campbell, Rashawn Slater, Justin Pugh, Fuaga, Wirfs, Wills, Riley Reiff, Bryan Bulaga, Fautanu, Brandon Scherff)

Yeah, and what happened with Leonard Davis? Refused to play at G and left to do so in Dallas.

It's the #3 pick. If you aren't certain he can play the position you're drafting him for, why draft him at #3 overall?

 

[Cardinal88]

It’s not so must about picking who’s best, it’s more about having several needs and seeing several players as being equally functional. Also, even in this draft, if they could add an early second round pick that could provide a useful player as well.

I hear what you're saying but Monti's experience hasn't indicated that he can get it right. Trading down and then back up to get Paris Hilton when we could have had an all pro/pro bowler shows that. Yeah, they picked up another pick but that hasn't turned out either. My point is I have little confidence in the scouting department and in Monti to do the right thing.