Arizona Cardinals NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

PROJECTED TRADE WITH MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Cardinals ensure they beat the Colts to a premier offensive line prospect, moving up three slots in Round 1 by swapping their third-round pick for Miami's late fourth-round selection. Arizona traded up for a versatile lineman in Paris Johnson Jr. two years ago, and Banks could play inside or outside as a rookie. (He could also move to tackle in 2026 if Jonah Williams departs as a free agent.)

I've been pounding the table for Walter Nolen throughout this entire process, and will continue to do so. He's my DT2 in the class behind Graham, and he's my No. 9 overall player, so the Cardinals getting him here is a great pick in my eyes. Good job by me.

Offensive tackle isn't the biggest need for Arizona, but the Cardinals can potentially get a huge boon pick here with Simmons. He is one of the more athletic OTs in the draft, but a patellar tendon injury may have him getting off to a slower start to his NFL career. Jonah Williams is likely going to start again at right tackle for the Cardinals, but Simmons gives them a long-term option to pair with Paris Johnson Jr..

The Cardinals addressed their biggest defensive needs during free agency, signing outside linebacker Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, so they have flexibility here. They need help on the offensive line, particularly at guard, but Walker is too good to pass up. Best player available. He's everything the organization covets: The 2024 Butkus Award winner, Walker is versatile, athletic and productive. He's the son of a football coach. And he was a team captain in college. Walker can play off-ball linebacker or on the edge. Most importantly, he gives coordinator Nick Rallis another solid piece to build around. — Doug Haller

There will be quite a few teams targeting Zabel in this area of the draft. He's had a great process, from his final college season to the Reese's Senior Bowl to the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Cardinals have made a rapid adjustment from the somewhat finesse style of play under former head coach Kliff Kingsbury to more of a blue-collar physicality with Jonathan Gannon. Scourton is an ideal fit for the latter, perhaps lacking elite burst and bend off the edge but showing pop and persistence to set a firm edge.

More blocking stability in front of Kyler Murray and for James Conner and Trey Benson is needed in the desert. Jackson is an athletic guard with super-clean tape.

Grant might have a lower floor than Graham and some other defensive tackle prospects, but he has also got tremendous upside. The Cardinals made a huge splash by signing edge rusher Josh Sweat, so drafting Grant would further strengthen their defensive front. This is a copycat league, and the Cardinals should know that players who can disrupt from the interior are valuable. Grant is that player, and he could fix their run defense issues overnight.

This is a value pick. I have Johnson ranked 10th on my board, and he might have been even higher had a toe injury not ended his season early. He has nine career interceptions and always seems to be around the football. Garrett Williams was impressive in the slot last season, but the Cards could stand to add on the outside, where they are starting Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas V.

Opponents completed 68.6% of their passes against Arizona in 2024 (fourth worst for any defense), and the Cardinals were one of nine teams with fewer than 10 interceptions (nine).

Kenneth Grant is a physical freak who can align anywhere on the interior and still play run or pass. That's a skillset the Cardinals haven't had in the Jonathan Gannon era.

Arizona's offensive line group has uncertainty long-term at right tackle and offers some flexibility on the offensive interior despite re-signing Evan Brown.

One thing's for certain: the group needs to be more complete. Banks Jr. offers some flexibility in outcomes and brings a lot of added push to the starting five.