Feb. 15, 2026, 11:43 a.m. MT
It is NFL draft season, and that means it is mock draft season. As we have done in years past, we will simulate a mock draft each weekend and see what we come up for the Arizona Cardinals.
Every mock draft is more about playing out scenarios instead of making an uninformed prediction.
Using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, these are three-round projections for the Cardinals, as the full seven rounds have not been set because compensatory picks have not been awarded.
In this simulation, the plan is to stay true to what the Cardinals have done under general manager Monti Ossenfort.
What do we know about Ossenfort’s drafts?
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Premium positions earlyBig Ten and SEC players only through the first two roundsRound 1: Ohio State LB Arvell Reese
Reese is 6-4 and over 240 pounds, able to play edge and off the ball. The Cardinals love Ohio State players, and if they view him as a potentially elite pass rusher, he makes sense here. They got nothing from their edge rushers outside of Josh Sweat.
Round 2: Georgia OT Monroe Freeling
Freeling is 6-6 and 315 pounds. He could jump right into the starting right tackle role and anchor the right side with Paris Johnson on the left side. He comes from the SEC and tackle is a premium position, so this stays true to Ossenfort’s previous drafts.
Round 3: Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas
This is doubling up at the edge, but Zaven Collins might be gone in free agency and Baron Browning only had two sacks last season. Thomas is 6-2 and 249 pounds with a great motor and get-off.
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