NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals make trade, get OT in 7-round projections

The 2026 NFL draft begins on April 23, and the Arizona Cardinals have the third overall pick. It is believed they want to move back from the pick and select a tackle. That was the focus of this seven-round mock draft simulation for the Cardinals.

In this seven-round simulation, the Cardinals trade back in the first round and again in the second round.

2 trades

In Round 1, the Cardinals move back to the seventh pick, making a deal with the Washington Commanders. The Commanders gives the Cardinals the seventh pick, the 71st pick (a third-rounder) and a 2027 second-round pick for the third pick.

In Round 2, the Cardinals send the 34th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins for the 43rd pick and 94th pick (Round 3).

Draft picks

Here are the picks for the Cardinals in this simulation:

• Round 1 (No. 7 overall): Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
• Round 2 (No. 43 overall): Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker
• Round 3 (No. 65 overall): Arizona S Treydan Stukes
• Round 3 (No. 71 overall): Auburn C Connor Lew
• Round 3 (No. 94 overall): Florida State DT Darrell Jackson
• Round 4 (No. 104 overall): Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne
• Round 5 (No. 143 overall): North Dakota State QB Cole Payton
• Round 6 (No. 183 overall): Arizona State LB Keyshaun Elliott
• Round 7 (No. 217 overall): Ole Miss WR Harrison Wallace

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals make trade, get OT in 7-round projections