NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals land OT, QB speed in 7-round projections
· Yahoo Sports
The NFL draft is in under four weeks, which means there is still plenty of time for more mock drafts and projections. ESPN's Matt Miller released a full seven-round mock draft. In it, the Arizona Cardinals draft a quarterback, but it isn't the first round and it isn't Alabama's Ty Simpson, so this is a change from the recent trends.
Let's look at the projections for the Cardinals.
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Round 1, No. 3 overall: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
Kyler Murray and Calais Campbell are gone, so the Cardinals lack an identity. With the drop-off after Mendoza at QB, Arizona could choose to stick with veteran Jacoby Brissett in 2026 and wait until a deeper 2027 draft to select their next signal-caller. So this pick can be the start of their future foundation. Mauigoa is the draft's top-ranked offensive lineman and allowed only two sacks during Miami's run to the national title game. He is a fierce run blocker who would be an immediate replacement for right tackle Christian Jones opposite Paris Johnson Jr., giving Arizona a pair of young offensive line bookends.
Miller missed the fact that Mauigoa would not be replacing Jones. He would be replacing Jonah Williams, who ended the season on injured reserve. And it was Kelvin Beachum who finished the year as the starter.
That is beside the point.
A tackle makes sense only if the Cardinals go with a pass rusher in the second round, as they did zilch in the offseason to get better on the defensive edge.
Luckily....
Round 2, No. 35 overall: Missouri EDGE Zion Young
The Cardinals would just miss on Simpson falling to them here, though they could trade up, which is what they did in Field Yates' and Jordan Reid's most recent mock drafts. Young would be a strong consolation prize, giving Arizona a powerful defensive end to complement the speed Josh Sweat and Baron Browning provide.
Young has size at 6-6, 262 pounds and 33-inch arms. He is strong. He is fiery. However, he is better as an edge setter and run stopper than a pass rusher right now. He did have 6.5 sacks and a whopping 16.5 tackles for loss last season.
Round 3, No. 65 overall: Miami QB Carson Beck
After missing on Simpson in Round 2, the Cardinals could take a swing at QB here. Beck's experience and strong pocket play would allow him to run the play-action-based offense Mike LaFleur brings to Arizona.
Simpson goes one selection before the Cardinals pick in Round 2, so instead they get the ultra-experienced Beck, who started for Georgia and Miami in his college career. He has the build new head coach Mike LaFleur likes at 6-5 and 233 pounds. While he might not be a starter in the NFL, his experience and production mean he has a pretty high floor and could be a solid No. 2 for years.
Round 4, No. 104 overall: Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson
Thompson is small at 5-9 and 164 pounds, but he is so fast (4.26-second 40 at the combine). He led the SEC with 1,054 receiving yards last season, scored six touchdowns and averaged 18.5 per catch. He is basically what Tutu Atwell has been for the LA Rams.
Round 5, No. 143 overall: Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne
Claiborne averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2025 and scored 10 touchdowns while rushing for 907 yards. He also caught 51 passes over the last two seasons. He is another speedster. He is 5-10 and 188 pounds, and he ran the 40 in 4.37 seconds.
Round 6, No. 183 overall: Missorui CB Toriano Pride Jr.
The Cardinals love drafting cornerbacks. He would make the eighth in four years. He also is blazing fast, posting a 4.32-second 40 at the combine.
Round 7, No. 217 overall: Kentucky G Jager Burton
The Cardinals have taken Day 3 offensive linemen in teh last two drafts. It should never be a surprise. He can play center and is athletic.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals land OT, QB speed in 7-round projections