Perfect Picks 2026: Arizona Cardinals
By Jack Brentnall
The Cardinals enter the 2026 offseason at a crossroads. A 3–14 campaign led to the dismissal of Jonathan Gannon, and uncertainty at quarterback looms with Kyler Murray’s future increasingly unclear after general manager Monti Ossenfort reiterated that “all options are on the table”. With a new coaching staff expected to reshape the roster, Arizona is positioned for a foundational draft.
This Perfect Picks article explores what an ideal draft could look like if the board breaks the right way. Rather than predicting draft weekend outcomes, the focus is on fit, value, and long-term roster construction, identifying prospects who align with the team’s needs at each stage of the draft.
The selections below account for scheme, roster holes, and realistic draft ranges, moving from early-round building blocks to mid-round value and late-round upside.
Round 1 - Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami)
Arizona’s options at No. 3 overall narrow quickly if quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are already off the board. A trade down would still be my preferred outcome, but if the Cardinals are forced to stay put, the decision becomes less about chasing an ideal scenario and more about managing value across the roster.
Sonny Styles is the higher-graded player on my board, and I would have no issue with Arizona going in that direction.Still, when weighing my evaluations against the Cardinals’ current needs, it is easier to justify investing this pick in a premium position, particularly with lingering questions at quarterback and along the offensive line.
Mauigoa is not a blue-chip tackle prospect, but he is a very good one with a clean projection. He plays with consistent physicality and technical discipline, especially in the run game where he generates consistent displacement. His pass protection profile is impressive, showing enough foot quickness, balance, and anchor strength to project as a starting calibre tackle at the next level.
That functional athleticism also provides flexibility. If Mauigoa ultimately slides inside, his skill set should translate smoothly to guard, allowing Arizona to continue building the offensive line around Paris Johnson. Even with a higher-graded defender on the board, selecting a quality player at a premium position represents a logical and defensible path if a trade down never materializes.
Round 2 - Emmanuel Pregnon (IOL, Oregon)
If the Cardinals are not landing their quarterback of the future in 2026, the next best move is to continue building an environment that will support whoever eventually takes that role. Investing further along the offensive line fits that approach, making Pregnon an easy sell on Day 2.
Pregnon has been one of the biggest risers of the 2025 season for me, and his tape at Oregon has been consistently impressive. He brings a big, physical presence with a thick frame and solid proportional length. His anchor ability and refined hand usage allow him to win reliably in pass protection.
In the run game, Pregnon plays with toughness and intent, finishing blocks and creating movement at the point of attack. His experience at both guard spots adds value, and he profiles as someone who could step in early and strengthen the interior of Arizona’s offensive line.
Mid Round Gem - Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska)
Arizona’s running back room was tested by injuries in 2025, and uncertainty remains heading into the offseason. James Conner turns 30 and is coming off foot surgery, while Trey Benson has struggled to find consistency and is working back from a torn meniscus.
Adding another back feels like a smart use of a mid-round pick, and Johnson makes sense as a value option. His jitterbug running style would provide a clear contrast to the current backs, and he consistently creates with lateral quickness and short area burst. Johnson has also shown the ability to contribute in the passing game, adding versatility to the rotation.
His slender frame likely caps his workload at the next level, but he does not need to be a bell cow to make an impact. Johnson would add dynamism to the backfield and give the Cardinals a useful change-of-pace option and quality receiving back behind a retooled offensive line.
Late Round Sleeper - Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, UCF)
I am significantly higher on Lawrence than the consensus, and I would not be surprised if his stock rises as the draft process unfolds. If he is still available in the later rounds, Arizona would be well positioned to capitalize on the value.
Lawrence looks the part of an NFL edge defender, carrying a 6’4”, 263-pound frame with 35-inch arms. He pairs that size with impressive burst off the line, forcing tackles to respect his speed as an outside-track rusher and opening up opportunities to counter.
His hands stand out as his defining trait. Lawrence shows quick, accurate strikes with real force on contact, allowing him to attack blockers in a variety of ways. He still needs refinement as a run defender and finisher, but the blend of speed, power, and hand usage gives him a clear pathway to contributing in passing situations.
Draft in full
3 (R1) – Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami)
34 (R2) – Emmanuel Pregnon (IOL, Oregon)
65 (R3) – Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska)
104 (R4) – Genesis Smith (S, Arizona)
141 (R5) – Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, UCF)
182 (R6) – De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
217 (R7) – Cameron Ball (IDL, Arkansas)
