Arizona Cardinals NFL Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

The Cardinals' biggest need is quarterback, but this isn't the right draft to address that need at this spot. So Arizona goes with Reese, who combines edge-rushing talent with an ability to play inside linebacker — also needs for the Cards.

After Arizona released Kyler Murray, its offseason has signaled that drafting a quarterback is a logical outcome. But the Cardinals are not going to reach for one here. Like the Jets, the Cardinals can add to their recent front-seven investments, which include edge rusher Josh Sweat from last free agency.

Reese is a unique defensive player in this class, playing a hybrid position at Ohio State as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher. He has massive length at 6-foot-4, explosive athletic traits and major upside if the Cardinals keep him at edge rusher. Reese said at the combine that he hasn't "scratched the surface" as a pass rusher. He generated 19 pressures on a mere 97 pass-rush reps in 2025.

Proposed trade: Cardinals move back into Round 1

With only two selections in the opening three rounds, Buffalo could move eight spots back to No. 34 and receive an extra third-round pick (No. 65) from the Cardinals. The Bills would also receive a 2027 third-round pick in the deal.

With a hat tip to my pal Jordan Reid -- the thought leader behind the Cardinals trading up for Simpson -- Arizona can execute its own version of what the Giants accomplished in 2025. New York landed edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 before trading up to take quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. After taking Arvell Reese up top, the Cardinals can land the clear-cut second-best quarterback in this class here.

Through the early part of the 2025 season, Simpson stood out with his ability to navigate the pocket and throw with accuracy and power when he can set his feet. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew on Arizona's depth chart, the team can bring Simpson along methodically. All 15 of his collegiate starts came this past season.

Adding Bailey to a front with Josh Sweat would give the Cardinals a nice 1-2 punch on the edge. They could also consider tackle here, but Bailey is a better prospect.

The Cardinals have an identity problem — they do not have one. What is it they do well? They are positioned to begin next season with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at quarterback. They lack playmakers. They are not expected to contend in the rugged NFC West. That gives them time — and a clear objective: Keep building the offensive line. Stop trying to piece it together during free agency. If GM Monti Ossenfort can trade back a few spots and still get Mauigoa — something we considered — do it. But the priority should not change. — Doug Haller

A top-three pick feels high for an off-ball linebacker, but Styles has the chance to be a transformative talent at the position in a league that has almost no elite linebackers. Styles has the size and speed to attack all areas of the field, played well in coverage and has use as a blitzer. Styles would immediately slide in as the top dog on the Cardinals' defense and be an interesting case study (no matter where he's drafted) on the potential addition of a top-flight linebacker when no other teams have (a healthy) one.

They've added a lot of players, though primarily on offense. But with a major question at quarterback following Kyler Murray's departure, Arizona is the proverbial team that could be at least a year away from being a year away — and maybe even two years away from being a year away. Yet if there was a quarterback worthy of the No. 3 overall pick ... then the Jets would have taken him at No. 2. And that means Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort, who traded out of the opportunity to take future All-Pro DE Will Anderson Jr. in 2023, probably needs to be in the business of accumulating blue-chip players — and Reese projects as one. The Micah Parsons comparisons are obviously premature, but Reese, who turns 21 in August, has plenty of time to develop into a full-time pass rusher and maybe justify the comp one day. And getting to the quarterback is especially important in the NFC West, where the Cards are looking way up at their competition right now.

Arizona lands the draft's top offensive lineman in Mauigoa. He's a plug-and-play guy at right tackle.

The Cardinals weren't much better than the Jets in the sack department, tying for 28th with 30. Josh Sweat needs a running mate, and Reese has the instincts and burst to get home on the QB. Of course, Reese also played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State, and though he said during the combine that he would be an NFL edge rusher, that sort of versatility is a big plus. He had 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season.

There's a lot of hype around Bailey, and rightly so. This guy is a game-wrecker, and he had a tremendous year in his lone season at Texas Tech. Bailey led all power-conference players in sacks and tackles for loss this past season. The Cardinals need help wherever they can get it, and Bailey will do that.