The Arizona Cardinals are the next team on the list. The only team from the NFC West that didn’t make into the NFL Playoffs. With the result, head coach Jonathan Gannon was fired and at the moment, there is no replacement hired. Former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is a “surprising” candidate for the job.

Along with that opening, there are plenty of other holes on the team. After going 3-14 in 2025, the Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft. With such a high pick, the Cardinals will likely draft the best non-QB player on the board. Currently, this is what it is being said for the 2026 NFL Draft.

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami Hurricanes

If the draft plays out to how everyone expects, the Cardinals will be able to get pretty much anybody they want after Fernando Mendoza is taken by the Raiders at No. 1 and Arvell Reese is taken by the Jets at No. 2. The Cardinals have several linemen already injured headed into the season and Kelvin Beachum is headed into his 14th season.

Getting Mauigoa would be a huge addition for Arizona. He has been a three-year starter for the Hurricanes and has been a team captain since 2025. He is much better in the passing game than in the run game. The Cardinals will need him to get better quick so they don’t lose three running backs to season-ending injuries. 

They have a limited amount of lineman already, but getting one of the premier ones in the draft will be a great add for them. 

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OT Spencer Fano, Utah

The other top lineman that other analysts expect to go early is Fano from Utah. The former Ute is expected to be a Cardinal if any funny business happens in the first two picks which would throw the draft into chaos. If anyone outside those two previously mentioned players aren’t drafted, the Cardinals could make a move for them. If Mauigoa is a top-2 pick, Fano could be the selection at No. 3. However, that could also throw some chaos into the Cardinals selection which will be discussed in a moment.

Fano is a monster of a lineman. He is 6-foot-6 and 302 pounds. Should the Cardinals not be able to get Mauigoa and still wish to draft a top player, Fano is still a great selection. 

Worth Noting

Due to the draft position, the Cardinals are one of several teams that could be trading back in order to gain draft capital. One projection has them trading back to No. 21 with the Pittsburgh Steelers where Colton Hood, a cornerback from Tennessee could be the selected. In that trade package could be quarterback Kyler Murray as well as some other things. Don’t be surprised to see Murray before or during the draft as he might not be Cardinals starter moving forward.