{"id":278768,"date":"2026-04-25T20:25:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T00:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=278768"},"modified":"2026-04-25T20:25:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T00:25:12","slug":"arizona-cardinals-2026-nfl-draft-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/04\/25\/arizona-cardinals-2026-nfl-draft-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Cardinals 2026 NFL Draft Grades"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cardinals haven’t made the playoffs since 2021, and recent shortcomings have led to a new era in Arizona. Kyler Murray<\/a> is out the door, and there are several questions across the roster. Mike LaFleur<\/a> takes over as head coach and hopes to turn the Cardinals’ fortunes around. A great way to build up a roster is through the NFL Draft. Arizona had a very chalk draft, as it made each of its own seven picks without making any trades. How did the Cardinals do, and what are their 2026 NFL Draft grades?<\/p>\n

2026 NFL Draft Grades: Arizona Cardinals<\/h2>\n

First Round (3rd overall)- Jeremiyah Love<\/a>, RB, Notre Dame<\/h3>\n

Arizona had several options available with the third-overall pick. It addressed a significant need at running back with a blue-chip prospect, Jeremiyah Love. Love was clearly the best running back on the board, rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns<\/a> in 2025. James Conner<\/a> will be 31 this fall and is coming off a major foot injury, leaving a void at the position. Love is a dynamic athlete, boasting elite power and acceleration while also showing elite vision and patience. His contact balance and short-area quickness allow him to make defenders miss with strength and athleticism. Love is an all-around great runner and a capable pass catcher out of the backfield. Adding him to an offense with Marvin Harrison Jr.<\/a>, Michael Wilson<\/a>, and Trey McBride<\/a> gives the Cardinals plenty of talent at skill positions.<\/p>\n

While Love is an elite prospect and running back was a need, the Cardinals had more pressing positions to fill. Love himself should be a great player, but how much will he impact winning for Arizona? Edge rusher and offensive tackle are more premium positions, with the Cardinals needing both. There were several elite prospects on the board at both edge and tackle that would have made more sense. Love certainly isn’t a bad selection, but there were better ways to use a top-five pick. It isn’t a question of whether Love will be productive; it’s a matter of how much his success will translate to winning.<\/p>\n

Pick Grade: B<\/h4>\n

Second Round (34th overall)- Chase Bisontis<\/a>, G, Texas A&M<\/h3>\n

After taking Love with their first pick, the Cardinals invested in the offensive line in front of him. Chase Bisontis is arguably the second-best guard in this class. He moves very well for the position, having upside as a run blocker attacking the second level. He’s improved in pass protection over three seasons at Texas A&M, allowing just one sack in each of the past two seasons.\u00a0 There’s room for improvement in technique, and Bisontis struggled with penalties, drawing 16 in his last two seasons. He has the frame and athletic traits to be a quality guard at the next level. The offensive line was a need for Arizona, and it is now fortified at the guard position. Between Bisontis and Issac Seumalo<\/a>, the Cardinals are set at guard while having several promising skill players.<\/p>\n

Pick Grade: A-<\/h4>\n

Third Round (65th overall)- Carson Beck<\/a>, QB, Miami<\/h3>\n

The Cardinals took a flyer on Carson Beck with their third-round pick. Beck is an experienced signal caller with the ideal quarterback frame. He excels at throwing up the middle and is a good anticipatory thrower. While Beck is a capable player, Arizona should have used this pick to build up the rest of the roster. His mobility is serviceable, but won’t scare NFL defenses. He also struggles with turnovers, forcing bad passes under pressure. Beck translates to a high-end backup or an adequate spot starter, but his limited physical tools give him a lower ceiling. The Cardinals still need help on the defensive line and at off-the-ball linebacker.<\/p>\n

Beck should see the field later in the season for an Arizona squad that’s out of playoff contention. If he performs well, he can enter 2027 as the starter. If not, the Cardinals can move on and take a QB in the first round next April. Taking a chance on a Beck is understandable, but it makes more sense to go defense with this pick and take a quarterback on day three.<\/p>\n

Pick Grade: C-<\/h4>\n

Fourth Round (104th overall)- Kaleb Proctor<\/a>, DT, Southeastern Louisiana<\/h3>\n

The defensive line was Arizona’s most prominent need entering day three. It addressed that need by selecting Kaleb Proctor, a skilled pass rusher at defensive tackle. He has an explosive first step and shows good bend and refined pass-rushing technique. Proctor posted a 90.4 PFF pass-rush grade<\/a> in 2025, good for the third-best among all interior defensive linemen. Although he’s excellent at getting after the quarterback, his frame is on the smaller end for an NFL defensive tackle. Proctor struggled with tackling in 2025, having an 18.2% missed-tackle rate last season. It’s also uncertain how his skill set translates from the FCS level to the NFL. Proctor likely won’t be an every-down player, but a useful asset on passing downs. The Cardinals improved a weakness on the roster with this pick, getting much-needed help on the defensive line.<\/p>\n

Pick Grade: B+<\/h4>\n

Fifth Round (143rd overall)- Reggie Virgil<\/a>, WR, Texas Tech<\/h3>\n

Wide receiver isn’t exactly a need for the Cardinals, as they have Harrison and Wilson. With that being said, adding depth doesn’t hurt. Reggie Virgil is a lengthy boundary receiver who excels at tracking deep balls. His catch radius is impressive, giving him the ability to win in contested-catch situations. He’s a crisp route runner who creates separation against man coverage. Virgil also does well at finding the soft spots in zone coverage. While his length is that of an X-receiver, his lighter frame allows corners to push him off his route. Virgil also struggled with drops in college. While he won’t be a starter initially, Virgil can contribute as a complementary option in Arizona’s passing game.<\/p>\n

Pick Grade: B-<\/h4>\n

Sixth Round (183rd overall)- Karson Sharar, LB, Iowa<\/h3>\n

Defensive line and off-the-ball linebacker were significant holes Arizona needed to address on day three. It took care of both by picking Proctor and Karson Sharar. Sharar provides value on special teams, which is likely where he will see most of his action. As a linebacker, he plays with strong instincts and is a quality run defender. While his speed is impressive for the position, his lighter frame limits his ceiling. Sharar struggled with missed tackles in 2025. Arizona took care of a need with this pick and got a day-one difference maker on special teams. Sharar’s floor is a specialist, but he has the chance to contribute as a rotational linebacker.<\/p>\n

Pick Grade: B<\/h4>\n

Seventh Round (217th overall)- Jayden Williams, OT, Ole Miss<\/h3>\n

The Cardinals add depth to their offensive line with the first pick of the seventh round. Jayden Williams spent his first three seasons in Oxford at left tackle before sliding over to right tackle as a senior.\u00a0 He’s a capable pass blocker with a good anchor. Williams’ run blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Right tackle is a need for Arizona, which will eventually need to replace free-agent signing Elijah Wilkinson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pick Grade: B<\/h4>\n

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The Cardinals begin the Mike LaFleur era in 2026. How did they do in the draft this weekend, and what are their 2026 NFL Draft grades?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5581,"featured_media":280170,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":true,"sfio_embed_code":"<\/smartframe-embed>","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1647,33],"tags":[34712,33533,32715,34092,33664,34242,34710,34079],"class_list":["post-278768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-draft","category-cardinals","tag-jayden-williams","tag-2026-nfl-draft","tag-carson-beck","tag-chase-bisontis","tag-jeremiyah-love","tag-kaleb-proctor","tag-karson-sharar","tag-reggie-virgil"],"modified_by":"Sue Levine","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5581"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=278768"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":280172,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278768\/revisions\/280172"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/280170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=278768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=278768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=278768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}