Arizona Cardinals 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Life after Kyler Murray officially starts with new franchise quarterback
The Cardinals kick off a new era by selecting their next franchise quarterback.
The Arizona Cardinals looked like they were turning the tide after Jacoby Brissett led the team to upset the Dallas Cowboys, but that was followed by many injuries and another three losses.
Now, the Cardinals are 3-8 on the season, and playoff hopes look out of reach, so it’s time to look ahead. The biggest takeaway of the season is that it seems very unlikely that Kyler Murray will be the starting quarterback next season in Arizona.
He’s been on IR for weeks with his foot sprain and might not play again this season. In this 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft, the Cardinals find their next quarterback and build the rest of the roster.
Arizona Cardinals 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 9: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Ty Simpson might end up being the third quarterback taken in the draft behind Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore if they all decide to declare. Arizona might have a new head coach by April, and he would probably love what Simpson brings to the offense. Simpson can layer the ball and add the right touch to make tight window throws routinely.
One of his most impressive traits is actually something you can’t measure, and that’s his ability to read defenses pre-snap and adjust protections and routes to take advantage of what the defense is showing. He’s made a lot of clutch plays down the stretch of close games in a brutal SEC schedule and shown that he can handle the biggest moments. The Cardinals desperately need someone to throw to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride routinely, and Simpson is the guy.
Round 2, Pick 40: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
The Cardinals need to rework their offensive line with help on the interior, as well as a right tackle on the other side of Paris Johnson Jr. You can’t draft Simpson without adding some protection, so the Cardinals take Gennings Dunker out of Iowa to take over at right tackle. You can never go wrong taking an offensive lineman out of Iowa, and Dunker is another stonewall protector.
Dunker does a great job of sealing the edge and protecting the quarterback, and only allowed two sacks this season. He’s also effective in the run game with the ability to clean up blocks and get into the second level to create a lane for the running back. Dunker would be a steal at pick 40, and his 6-5, 315-pound frame is what the Cardinals need on the line.
Round 3, Pick 71: Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
I didn’t want to do three offensive players here, but it made too much sense to draft Omar Cooper Jr to be the slot wide receiver next season. He’s an upgrade from Greg Dortch, and a big-play threat in addition to Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Cooper Jr. is a bigger slot option at 6-0, 204 pounds, and has the athletic ability to make highlight reel catches.
He’s a refined route runner and great after the catch, and he’s forced 20 missed tackles this season, which is eighth in the country. Cooper Jr. has been Mendoza’s top target during his Heisman campaign with 740 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he would do the same for Simpson.
Arizona Cardinals News
The Cardinals are reportedly set to have ‘extensive discussions’ with Kyler Murray — but let’s be honest, there’s nothing to discuss
Kyler and the Cardinals are going to have ‘the talk’.
