April 4, 2026, 6:17 p.m. MT

The NFL draft is less than three weeks away, and we continue to get information about the Arizona Cardinals. Some of the latest says they really want to draft a tackle but want to trade back to do it.

So in this week’s seven-round mock draft simulation, the goal was to see if that coudl happen.

It did!

Using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, the Cardinals were able to trade back and get a second first-round pick.

Trading back from No. 3 pick

The simulator had the Kansas City Chiefs wanting to move up to No. 3 to get a pass rusher. They offered the ninth and 29th picks for No. 3. The trade was accepted, and the Chiefs took Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. third overall.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Round 1, No. 9 overall: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa

Mauigoa has been projected to the Cardinals third overall in many mock drafts. To get him ninth overall and pick up a second first-rounder is an almost perfect scenario. Mauigoa can step right in immediately at right tackle as the starter and push Elijah Wilkinson either to right guard or into a backup role.

Another Round 1 trade

The Miami Dolphins wanted to move up one spot from pick No. 30 to No. 29. They offered their 2027 third-round pick. The Dolphins wanted a guard. The Cardinals accepted.

Round 1, No. 30 overall: Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald

The Cardinals love Ohio State players and, while a defensive tackle in Round 1 probably wasn’t in the initial plans, he is good enough to get here. He is 6-3, 326 pounds and has three-down abilities. If Darius Robinson can produce, imagine a young trio of McDonald, Walter Nolen and Robinson.

Round 2, No. 34 overall: Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker

The best EDGE prospects are at the top of the draft, but because they got their tackle in the first round, getting a pass rusher is important in Round 2. He had 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2024, but his production dipped to five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.

Round 3, No. 65 overall: USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane

He gives the Cardinals a local kid who is 6-4 with sub-4.5 speed. He scored 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons for USC. Imagine the length with him, Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Trey McBride.

Round 4, No. 104 overall: Indiana LB Aiden Fisher

He is 6-1 and 235 pounds. He isn’t an elite athlete but he is smart and productive.

Round 5, No. 143 overall: Washington CB Ephesians Prysock

All he is is a 6-3 cornerback with speed. He broke up 13 passes and picked one off in two seasons for Washington after starting at Arizona. But we know the Cardinals love drafting cornerbacks, having selected seven in the last three drafts.

Round 6, No. 183 overall: Miami QB Carson Beck

Will he last this long? We will see on draft weekend. Getting him on Day 3 is good. He has played a ton of football, started a ton of games and won a lot. While he isn’t likely the starter of the future, he could be a high-foor option as a backup moving forward.

Round 7, No. 217 overall: Oregon RB Noah Whittington

He is a smaller back at 5-8 and 205 pounds, but he averaged 6.4 yards per carry last season, gaining 829 rushing yards and scoring seven total touchdowns. He can return kicks, too.

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