MadCards 2026 Cardinals Mock Draft V1.0

[MadCardDisease]

With the combine in the books it's time for my Cardinals mock draft. My favorite player for the Cardinals to pick at #3 overall is Edge Rusher David Bailey. However I'm convinced that the Jets are going to snag him with the 2nd overall pick right before the Cardinals. I'd be fine with Mauigoa or Love if the Cardinals stay at #3 overall.

However in this first Mock I have Jerry Jones getting nervous with Bailey coming off the board at #2 overall and desperate to find a replacement for Parsons. So Jerry makes a trade with the Cardinals to select Avrell Reese at #3 overall as the heir apparent to Micah Parsons.


Draft Day TRADE: Cardinals send #3 overall to the Cowboys for the following picks from Dallas (#12 overall, #20 overall and a 2027 3rd).

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#12 (From Cowboys) QB Ty Simpson Alabama
6'1" 211 lbs
Originally I wanted the Cardinals to use the #20 overall pick from the Cowboys to select Simpson. However if MLF truly believes that Simpson can be his guy, then the Cardinals don’t risk waiting until #20 to take their potential QBOTF with the Jets sitting there at #16 overall and the Steelers there at #21 and possibly jumping in front of 20. I do believe that Simpson is a strong fit for the MLF offense which relies heavily on timing and having a QB with a high football IQ. Simpson isn't the perfect QB prospect but that is why the Cardinals are able to move back and select him later in the 1st round. With Jacoby and Gardner on the roster, the Cards can bring Simpson along slowly with him most likely getting some starts in the second half of the season to see how he performs before heading into the 2027 offseason.

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#20 (From Cowboys) RT Caleb Lomu Utah
6'6" 313 lbs
Elite pass protector with high athleticism makes Lomu the perfect fit for MLF’s system. He can adapt to a zone or gap scheme. Will be given the chance to compete for a starting spot at RT immediately.

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#34 DT Caleb Banks Florida
6'6" 327 lbs
A broken foot suffered at the combine causes Banks to slip out of the 1st round. Much like what happened with Will Johnson, the Cardinals gladly accept the gift and add another monster on the DL to pair with Walter Nolen.

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#65 S Jalen Kilgore South Carolina

With a deep safety class the Cardinals get a steal with the first pick in the 3rd round. Nick Rallis gets another chess piece that can play all over the field. Kilgore can cover athletic TEs or slot receivers and is strong at defending the run.

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#104 ILB Harold Perkins Jr LSU
6'1" 223 lbs
Being slightly undersized for a LB and a 2024 ACL injury causes enough concerns for him to slip into day 3. Perkins is a highly athletic hybrid LB who can get to the QB. Had a strong showing at the East West Shrine game. He recently ran a 4.4 forty (with some scouts timing him at 4.38) at his LSU pro day.

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#143 WR Bryce Lance NDSU
6'3" 204 lbs
Younger brother to QB Trey Lance who also played at NDSU. Has elite size and measurables which really stood out at the Combine (6’3” and a 4.34 forty). Would be an older rookie at 25 years old and played in the FCS which raises concerns about the level of competition that he faced. Not to mention it took several years before he “broke” out his senior season. Could be a nice threat in a MLF play action passing attack.

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#183 C Brian Parker II Duke
6'5" 309 lbs
He was one of the other standouts that I remember from the East West Shrine practices. He moved from OT to solely play Center at the EWS practices. I think he could play C or G in the NFL. Would add nice depth to the IOL.

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#217 ILB Aiden Fisher Indiana
6'1" 232 lbs
Smart defender with great instincts. Natural Leader. Not the greatest athlete so his roles in the NFL may be limited. Should contribute to special teams right away and may develop into a decent backup who has the smarts to run the defense.

 

[Dback Jon]

I could live with this

 

[Denny Green Fan]

I could live with this

I would kiss Monti on his bald head with this draft…question…I wonder if we are burning up Jerry jones cell phone right now?

 

[Harry]

This is an excellent set of players

 

[some dumb guy]

I would kiss Monti on his bald head with this draft…question…I wonder if we are burning up Jerry jones cell phone right now?

Hey, it's Jerry...can't talk rite now...I'm busy messin up my own team...

 

[Stout]

No thanks. Another Monti special and screwing the QB room for at least the next 3 years.

 

[Goldfield]

Love it that would be great thanks for all the effort

 

[Krangodnzr]

Not crazy about Lomu as a fit at RT. He's a big time projection, needs to get a lot stronger and I think he's going to struggle big time against power early in his career. He's a good athlete, but also not a great technician either so he's going to face a baptism by fire.

Banks at #34 is another pick I've struggled with when I look at the draft and I generally go with Hunter or Miller at that spot.

I've looked at him at that pick and with two major injuries (5th year and combine), I think the risk is just too great.

I don't know if I would want a safety at #65, but it's forward thinking if the Cardinals want to move off of Budda.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Not crazy about Lomu as a fit at RT. He's a big time projection, needs to get a lot stronger and I think he's going to struggle big time against power early in his career. He's a good athlete, but also not a great technician either so he's going to face a baptism by fire.

All true. He isn't a perfect prospect yet, which is why he is there at #20 overall.

I kind of have a soft spot for him being a local boy. I remember clearly when he played against my kids HS and thinking back then dang that kid is a man among boys!

I agree that his strength isn't there yet for moving people in the running game but he clearly has the frame to add more weight and strength. However I really like his ability to move and get to the second level which I why I think he would fit so well into MLF system. But yeah he will have to get stronger fast and earn a spot if he wants to be a starter very early in his career.

 

[Chopper0080]

All true. He isn't a perfect prospect yet which is why he is there at #20 overall.

I kind of have a soft spot for him being a local boy. I remember clearly when he played against my kids HS and thinking back then dang that kid is a man among boys!

I agree that his strength isn't there yet for moving people in the running game but he clearly has the frame to add more weight and strength. However I really like his ability to move and get to the second level which I why I think he would fit so well into MLF system. But yeah he will have to get stronger fast and earn a spot if he wants to be a starter very early in his career.

I would not prefer Simpson at 12, and am not as high on Lomu either. I like some of the other players you have. Ultimately, my preference is to stay at 3.

 

[Harry]

Not crazy about Lomu as a fit at RT. He's a big time projection, needs to get a lot stronger and I think he's going to struggle big time against power early in his career. He's a good athlete, but also not a great technician either so he's going to face a baptism by fire.

Banks at #34 is another pick I've struggled with when I look at the draft and I generally go with Hunter or Miller at that spot.

I've looked at him at that pick and with two major injuries (5th year and combine), I think the risk is just too great.

I don't know if I would want a safety at #65, but it's forward thinking if the Cardinals want to move off of Budda.

Lomu is a bit of a project, but outside of Fano and Mauigoa everyone is. I love his athleticism and meanness. At RT I’m willing to to build a guy with this much upside.

Banks was injured before the season started but still fought his way back to play rather than resting on his laurels. I’ve talked with the Florida people and he isvery coachable. His talent and effort level coupled with being a great attitude leads me to believe he will be a valuable NFL player.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

Nice draft!! The only player who would prevent me from liking the Cowboys trade is if the Jets pass on David Bailey and he is available for us at #3. I saw Brian Baldinger from NFL Network compare Bailey to Von Miller.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Lomu is a bit of a project, but outside of Fano and Mauigoa everyone is. I love his athleticism and meanness. At RT I’m willing to to build a guy with this much upside.

We also have to remember that he was a Redshirt Soph last season. So he just turned 21 years old a couple of months ago. He's going to get stronger as he continues to physically mature.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I would kiss Monti on his bald head with this draft…question…I wonder if we are burning up Jerry jones cell phone right now?

McShay is reporting it:

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[Chopper0080]

Classic Lossenfort

 

[Stout]

McShay is reporting it:

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Suggs trade 2.0.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

Suggs trade 2.0.

Yeah an organization that hasn’t drafted a stud edge rusher since Simeon Rice is going to pass up a guy in Bailey who has been compared to Von Miller. That would be Suggs 2.0!!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Classic Lossenfort

I mean, you can argue that you build a pass rush around multiple players...but usually you have that ONE dominant player that s blocking scheme has to account for and it frees everyone else up.

David Bailey could potentially be that guy.

 

[Chopper0080]

I mean, you can argue that you build a pass rush around multiple players...but usually you have that ONE dominant player that s blocking scheme has to account for and it frees everyone else up.

David Bailey could potentially be that guy.

I think Bailey should be a slam dunk but Monti gonna Monti.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I think Bailey should be a slam dunk but Monti gonna Monti.

Yeah he's an absolute game wrecking on tape, looks like a guy you can build your defense around.

 

[Goldfield]

Then we should take him

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

I think a pass rushing trio of David Bailey, Walter Nolan, and Josh Sweat would rival any trio in the NFL.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think a pass rushing trio of David Bailey, Walter Nolan, and Josh Sweat would rival any trio in the NFL.

Potentially but a lot needs to happen

 

[eastcoastDave]

I would not prefer Simpson at 12, and am not as high on Lomu either. I like some of the other players you have. Ultimately, my preference is to stay at 3.

I wouldn’t draft Simpson at 12. He should be available at 20. If this scenario plays out wit Dallas, I’d draft an OT at 12 — a very good one should be available — or an edge.

 

[BulldogCard]

The Cards need to stay at #3 and take a good player. Another dumb trade that will be crickets for the Cards. Trade up later for the qb or stay put. I would rather have Bailey so someone else can't have him rather than make this stupid trade. I would choose one of 3 players at 3, but I wouldn't dare trade out of it. It resembles MOs previous moves that were overthought, incompetent moves. Like the Paris Johnson year of the draft was everything they tell you not to do in draft 101.