The Arizona Cardinals have many needs this offseason, and one is at quarterback. The team is seeking to trade Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett could have value in the trade market as well. They will have this season an almost completely different offensive staff.
However, the defense was a problem last year.
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In a new three-round mock draft from NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter, the Cardinals don’t even address the defensive side of the ball.
Round 1: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
Mauigoa joins Paris Johnson Jr. to give the Cardinals two tackles who were drafted within the first six overall picks. Having a strong pair of outside blockers increases the likelihood that whoever is quarterbacking this team — whether it’s Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett or someone else — will have success.
Thereis no doubt that a tackle would be useful at No. 3 overall. They have a big hole at right tackle. The truth is they could go a lot of ways. But going with a player like Mauigoa would be going against a trend over the last two years. In three years with Monti Ossenfort as general manager, they have only selected players from the SEC or Big Ten in the first two rounds of the draft.
Round 2: Georgia WR Zachariah Branch
Branch, a 5-foot-10 wideout, led the SEC with 81 receptions in 2025 and had 811 yards and six touchdowns. He can also be a great kick and punt returner.
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The Cardinals have two talented receivers with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, but no depth after that. However, this still doesn’t address the defensive side of the ball.
Round 3: Miami QB Carson Beck
Will the Cardinals draft a quarterback? Maybe. Beck played six years in college, starting at Georgia and ending at Miami. He has led the conference in passing, in completion percentage and in interceptions.
But three offensive players in three rounds and a quarterback in Round 3? That would be interesting.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Cardinals go all offense in 3-round projections