The NFL draft is about three months away and the Arizona Cardinals do not even have a head coach, but we have the first of the big mock drafts of the season. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gives us his first mock draft of the year.
The Cardinals have the third overall pick, which means they will have their choice of almost all the draft prospects. While they need a quarterback, the top prospect, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, will likely go first overall and there is not another quarterback right now projected at the top of the draft.
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Mel Kiper picks O-lineman for Cardinals
With the third overall pick in this mock draft, Kiper has them selecting Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa.
Mauigoa would have just missed the chance to join his brother, linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, with the Jets, but I still have Francis as a top-three pick thanks to his mauling play style, experience (41 career starts) and overall consistency as a blocker. Since Kelvin Beachum is a free agent, Mauigoa could slide in at right tackle and help spring James Conner and Trey Benson for big runs next season. The quarterback situation is still unsettled, but no matter who is under center, the protection has to be right.
The Cardinals have questions for at least three offensive line starting jobs. Jonah Williams and Beachum will be free agents. There is no clear-cut answer at right tackle.
Because they don’t know who the quarterback will be in 2026, it is smart to build a team around him. A protected quarterback with a good run game are the best things you can have for a rookie quarterback.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper has Arizona Cardinals taking OT