2026 Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

Draft Capital: 5 picks | Overall Grade: B+ Last Updated: September 07, 2026

Overview

Arizona Cardinals enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 5 selections. Biggest needs: Quarterback, Edge Rusher, Offensive Tackle.

Complete Draft Class:

Round 1 (#1): Arch Manning, Quarterback, Texas — Grade A+

Round 1 (#16): Dylan Stewart, Edge Rusher, South Carolina — Grade A+

Round 4 (#129): Xavier Scott, Safety, Illinois — Grade C

Round 5 (#161): Tyrique Tucker, Defensive Line,

Indiana

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#193): Samuel Omosigho, Inside Linebacker,

UCLA

— Grade C-

View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →

---

Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis

Pick #1 - Arizona Cardinals: Arch Manning, Quarterback, Texas

Rank: #2 overall | Grade: A+ Why This Pick:

Quarterback is Arizona's clear top need, so taking Manning first overall is easy to justify on need alone, even though he's ranked one spot behind the board's top prospect. Teams have burned premium picks on QBs with far less pedigree, arm talent, and upside, and Manning's ceiling as a top-five QB grade heading into 2026 makes the tiny reach defensible rather than reckless. Arizona is betting on traits and trajectory over the polished product other evaluators wanted more starts to confirm.

The Fit:

Manning gives Arizona a 6'4

Strengths: Prototypical 6'4"/219-222 frame with a well-built lower half and mechanics scouts call 'picture-perfect' when he stays disciplined

Weaknesses: Only 12 career starts entering 2026

NFL Comp: J.J. McCarthy (similar frame and play style)

Full scouting report for Arch Manning → | See Arizona Cardinals 7-round draft →

---

Pick #16 - Arizona Cardinals: Dylan Stewart, Edge Rusher, South Carolina

Rank: #5 overall | Grade: A+ Why This Pick:

Critical need filled. Arizona Cardinals desperately needed Edge Rusher help (need #2), and Dylan Stewart was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

The Fit:

Dylan Stewart brings immediate impact to Arizona Cardinals. Dylan Stewart enters his sophomore year as one of the most coveted edge prospects in the 2027 class, a Washington, DC native who has emerged at South Carolina as a true blue-chip pass rusher with a rare combination of length, bend and burst. Listed a... His best trait—prototypical 6-5, 245 edge frame with length to set a hard edge against sec tackles—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Trevon Walker-style length and first-step burst from a tweener LB/EDGE frame-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Prototypical 6-5, 245 EDGE frame with length to set a hard edge against SEC tackles

Weaknesses: Sophomore-eligible with only one year of college tape, so the projection still carries freshman-year variance

NFL Comp: Trevon Walker-style length and first-step burst from a tweener LB/EDGE frame

Full scouting report for Dylan Stewart → | See Arizona Cardinals 7-round draft →

---

Pick #129: Xavier Scott (Safety, Illinois) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #161: Tyrique Tucker (Defensive Line,

Indiana

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #193: Samuel Omosigho (Inside Linebacker,

UCLA

) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

---

Draft Class Summary

Overall Grade: B+ | 5 positions addressed across 5 picks.

---

More Arizona Cardinals Coverage

Draft Arizona Cardinals yourself →

Full 3-Round Mock Draft

Draft Big Board — 300+ prospects ranked

Draft Visit Tracker