NFL Draft analyst hints at blockbuster trade rumors that could shake up draft for Arizona Cardinals in unexpected way
The Arizona Cardinals currently hold the No. 3 overall pick, but NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay doesn’t seem them picking there, and says sources are pointing at a massive trade with one prospect in mind.
The 2026 NFL Draft is just under three weeks away, and anything can happen once the clock starts for all 32 teams, especially for the Arizona Cardinals
We’ve seen how unpredictable the NFL Draft can be, and one draft analyst says that sources are prepared for the Cardinals to make a blockbuster trade in the first round with one player as the focal point for both teams.
Todd McShay says the Arizona Cardinals can trade back from No. 3 overall with the Dallas Cowboys, or make a surprising pick
The Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick, which can really impact the rest of the first round, let alone the entire NFL Draft. We’re pretty confident that Fernando Mendoza and Arvell Reese will be the first two picks of the draft, and then everyone will be watching the Arizona Cardinals.
Early reports from NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay say that the Cardinals are well prepared to trade back with the Dallas Cowboys, but are also pushed to select RB Jeremiyah Love if not.
“I’ve gotten two different, very interesting nuggets,” McShay said. “I just want to run through this real quick. I want to get you. I’m going to tell you what I’ve heard from two different people that typically have good information. . .One source is saying, I know Schefter said that the clock star starts on Jeremiyah Love at number five. He’s not going to Tennessee. I know there’s someone in that building who is pushing really, really hard for Jeremiyah Love that has a say.”
“But another person says trading out of three remains one of the priorities,” McShay added. “Or one of the things that could absolutely happen with Arizona. There’s a lot of buzz about Dallas [Cowboys], and noise of Dallas trading up from 12 to three to get [David] Bailey. . .Maybe it is a trade out, but it could be maybe one or two spots where they can still get Jeremiah love. So when I say to you, Arizona could be trading out of that spot, a team could be trying to trade up for an edge, specifically David Bailey. And I also say to you, there’s someone in that building, according to my source, that is pushing really hard for, let’s just take the best player in this draft at three.”
Should the Cardinals trade back?
The Arizona Cardinals have seven picks to work with in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they could trade back to rebuild for the future. There are a lot of rumors of the Cardinals being interested in QB Ty Simpson, so a trade back to No. 12 overall could help them take Simpson while adding picks.
McShay also made a good point that they need an offensive tackle and more overall talent, but No. 3 overall isn’t the spot to take an offensive tackle. Taking Bailey makes sense, and taking Love that high could be questionable with their current roster. Trading back will likely help the Cardinals build for the future with extra picks, but also by taking the players they need at a more reasonable spot.
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