Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort looks on prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at State Farm Stadium. Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
GLENDALE – As fans grow restless with the long wait till the NFL draft this month, more reports emerge of the Arizona Cardinals taking a massive risk third overall. The 2026 NFL draft is less than three weeks away, and with the top two picks being a consensuses by experts, many turn towards Arizona to see where the franchise selects with its first round selection,
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The wild card pick is quarterback Alabama Ty Simpson, who isn’t close to a top three pick in the draft. However, NFL Network Ian Rapoport spoke about how that doesn’t essentially matter, as history has shown when a team is interested in a QB it will take it, and the Cardinals are interested.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) hands off the ball to Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kevin Riley (28) on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the 112th annual Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. Indiana Hoosiers defeated Alabama Crimson Tide, 38-3. Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
Rapoport on Cardinals gameplan regarding Simpson for 2026 Draft:
While a Simpson selection would be “surprising” for Rapoport, Arizona would fit a recent pattern of teams taking a risk on a quarterback early in the first round. Rapoport mentions in 2017 when the Chicago Bears traded a massive haul to move up one spot to select Mitchell Trubisky second overall.
The Trubisky selection didn’t work out, which could be a sign for the franchise to not put all its resources on Simpson. Coming off a 3-14 season, the Cardinals are far away from competing. General manager Monti Ossenfort seems to understand that, signing most of the team’s free agents to short-term deals.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks about Walter Nolen during a news conference inside the Arizona Cardinals training facility on April 24, 2025, in Tempe.
The 2027 QB class is much stronger compared to this year, leading to Ossenfort having Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Mishew being on one-year deals. The question truly is on whether Ossenfort could survive another 3-14 type season, or owner Michael Bidwill will be forced to fire him. It is clear the 48-year-old GM has a plan next offseason, that will see Arizona have over 100+ million in cap space with a projected top pick in the draft.
The fan reception will be hard to endure, leading to heavy criticism. Ossenfort could look to save his job and select Simpson, who could come into head coach Mike LaFleur’s system and produce at a high level. To get to that point, the Cardinals will likely need to find a way back into the 1st-round because third overall is too rich for a player like Simpson.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill (R) and GM Monti Ossenfort watch the team play against the Saints during a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.
Rapoport mentioning finding a way into the teens of the first-round ahead of teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, that are also looking for a QB. The option to trade out of third overall and recoup assets is another avenue for Ossenfort to get value and still select Simpson later in the round. The desperation of Ossenfort to keep his job makes the Simpson option much more realistic for the franchise.
What value could Cardinals get trading the third pick in 2026 NFL draft?
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
