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.