New NFL Rumors on Cardinals’ Potential Trade Down from No. 3 Pick in 2026 Draft
Teams are reportedly still unsure whether the Arizona Cardinals will keep or trade their No. 3 pick with just one week remaining until the start of the 2026 draft.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Thursday the Cardinals “remain the biggest mystery for teams in the top five if they stay put, but the belief is a trade down is very much in play.”
The Cardinals have not used a top-three pick since selecting Kyler Murray at the top of the 2019 draft.
The franchise went into the 2023 draft with the No. 3 selection, but ultimately traded the pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for a package including first-rounders in 2023 and 2024.
That deal allowed the Texans to select edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3. The Cardinals later traded back up to No. 6 to select offensive tackle Paris Johnson.
Schultz wrote Thursday the Cardinals could now consider a “similar” move with the No. 3 pick of the 2026 draft.
The latest Bleacher Report mock draft projects the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza and linebacker Arvell Reese, respectively, with the first and second picks.
The B/R mock then projects the Cardinals taking edge rusher David Bailey at No. 3, with other top prospects including safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles and running back Jeremiyah Love still on the board.
There are a few teams who might be willing to give up some draft capital in order to get the chance to draft one of those players.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently described the Washington Commanders, who are currently set to draft at No. 7, as the team that “makes the most sense” for Love as they work to build a stronger offense around Jayden Daniels.
The New Orleans Saints, currently set to draft at No. 8, have a history of trading up and have a need for a pass rusher with Cameron Jordan still an unsigned free agent. They could potentially move up if they decide to try and target a top edge rusher like Reese.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has a history of trading high picks combined with holding the No. 12 and No. 20 picks of the upcoming draft, has said he would “absolutely” wiling to trade up. Getting to No. 3 could allow the Cowboys, a team still looking to bolster their defense in the post-Micah Parsons, to target a defender like Styles.
What a team looking to move up the board is willing to give the Cardinals could determine whether Arizona ultimately holds on to the No. 3 pick.