Cardinals’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick

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Cardinals’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick

Bailey Bassett, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Mon, Apr 27, 2026 ·

4 min read

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The Arizona Cardinals were stuck between a rock and a hard place coming into the 2026 NFL Draft. They have some really talented players, such as Trey McBride , Marvin Harrison Jr. , and Budda Baker , but they also moved on from Kyler Murray and have bridge options in Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew filling their quarterback room.

The Cardinals went just 3-14 last season and ended up with the No. 3 pick, but in a one-quarterback class, they weren’t in the running to add Fernando Mendoza. Come draft day, Arizona certainly made some polarizing decisions. Here are grades for each of the Cardinals’ draft selections.

Round 1, Pick 3: RB Jeremiyah Love , Notre Dame

Grade: B-

It is hard to fault the Cardinals’ pick at No. 3 overall. Jeremiyah Love is one of the best running back prospects in recent memory, and he certainly can be one of the best ball carriers in the league right away. However, drafting running backs early in round one is still a divisive topic.

It was a questionable decision for the Cardinals because they are still a long way out from contending, yet running backs don’t have the longest career lifespans. Love will take the pressure off of whoever is under center going forward, and he certainly could rack up big numbers, but a rumored trade back that never came to fruition would have made more sense for the Cardinals.

Round 2, Pick 34: OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

Grade: B

Chase Bisontis has inside-outside versatility, so the Cardinals can plug him in at guard or tackle right away. Whether it is a game-manager like Brissett at quarterback who can’t create much with his feet, or a young gunslinger eventually taking over who needs all the help he can get, Arizona quarterbacks will need ample time to make reads. Bisontis will help in that regard.

Round 3, Pick 65: QB Carson Beck , Miami

Grade: D+

Carson Beck was one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. There was a point in time during his days with Georgia when Beck was considered a potential No. 1 overall pick. Scouts came to the conclusion over time that he shouldn’t be that highly touted because of a lack of arm strength and accuracy. Beck did somewhat revive his draft stock during his time with Miami, though, and he ended up going earlier than many anticipated as a third-round selection.

Beck’s profile doesn’t scream NFL starter, but the Cardinals were going to take a flier at quarterback at some point, and there is a path to the youngster starting behind center sooner rather than later. Still, third-round draft capital is valuable, and this might have been a waste.

Round 4, Pick 104: DT Kaleb Proctor, SE Louisiana

Grade: C+

Kaleb Proctor was productive at SE Louisiana, both against the run and as an interior pass rusher. However, at 280 pounds, he is undersized for the defensive tackle position at the NFL level. The good news is that Proctor tended to step up his level of play against superior competition in college.

Round 5, Pick 143: WR Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech

Grade: C+

The Cardinals had needs all over their roster. While few viewed receiver as a position of need, it was an under-the-radar position to address, so the team took Reggie Virgil in the fifth round. Virgil’s best season was his senior year at Texas Tech, when he put up 57 catches for 705 yards. Before that, Virgil played at Miami (OH), where he was used as more of a deep threat. However, Virgil’s 40-yard dash time didn’t blow anyone away, and his yards per reception numbers took a major drop when playing against better competition.

Round 6, Pick 183: LB Karson Sharar, Iowa

Grade: C+

Karson Sharar broke out in his fifth year at Iowa, leading the team with 83 tackles. He didn’t do a lot in the four years prior, though. Sharar diagnoses the run and can plug rushing lanes, but he lacks in pass coverage.

Round 7, Pick 217: OT Jayden Williams, Ole Miss

Grade: A

Jayden Williams was a low-risk, high-reward addition in the seventh round. He is a massive tackle who could far outplay his draft slot.

Cardinals’ overall draft grade

Grade: C-

Even before the draft, the Cardinals had some highly talented players at the skill positions on their roster, but the lack of big-man depth was worrisome. The team continued to draft outside-in, which is a questionable decision because Arizona is still years away from contending. Overall, the Cardinals were one of the biggest losers from the 2026 NFL Draft.

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