Prioritizing the Arizona Cardinals' 2026 Needs
By Walter Mitchell
1. New GM/Director of Football Operations
Three main reasons why Monti Ossenfort should not be the GM beyond this season:
1. Tanking games.
2. Hiring the most inexperienced and underqualified coaching staff in the NFL.
3. Alienating NFL GMs in an irresponsible breach of GM decorum. Unlikely to be able to move up in a Round 1 draft trade.
2. New Head Coach
Three main reasons why Jonathan Gannon should not be the HC beyond this season:
1. Breaking NFL rules, lying about it, tanking games and still acting like he's got it made.
2. A defensive-minded HC whose "caution and cushion" defense does nothing well and is last in the league in tackling in YEAR THREE. He's not a fixer. SOS DD.
3. His offense can't run a 2-minute drill, which is often a key to winning close games.
3. New Direction at QB
It's time for the Cardinals to move on from Kyler Murray via trade or release.
4. Making the correct positional need priorities this time around
2026 Depth Chart (players who are signed or are RFAs or ERFAs)
Positions of Need:
Scale: 5 - highest; 4-heavy; 3-moderate; 2-minimal; 1-none
* QB Jacoby Brissett, Kedon Slovis --- Need: 5
* RB James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, Bam Knight, Corey Kiner --- Need: 2
* WR Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Xavier Weaver, Bryson Green, Tejhuan Palmer --- Need 4
* TE Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, Travis Vokolek --- Need: 1
* T Paris Johnson Jr., Josh Fryar, Christian Jones, Demontrey Jacobs, Valentin Senn --- Need 3 (I believe that Josh Fryar can be a good starter at RT and that Christian Jones and Demontrey Jacons are solid depth)
* G Isaiah Adams, Jon Gaines II, --- Need 3 (depth needed)
* C Hjalte Froholdt, Hayden Conner --- Need: 1
* NT Dalvin Tomlinson, P.J. Mustipher --- Need: 3
* DI Walter Nolen*, Darius Robinson, Dante Stills, Zachary Carter --- Need: 4
* ED Josh Sweat, Baron Browning, Zaven Collins, Jordan Burch, B.J. Ojulari --- Need: 3
* ILB Mack Wilson Jr.*, Cody Simon, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Owen Pappoe --- Need 4 (Cody Simon should be the starter at MIKE, Cards could use un upgrade at WILB)
* CB Max Melton, Will Johnson, Garrett Williams*, Elijah Jones, Denzel Burke, Kei'Trel Clark, Jaden Davis, Starling Thomas V*, Sean Murphy-Bunting (release) --- Need: 2
* S Budda Baker, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Kitan Crawford, Joey Blount* --- Need: 3
* ST Chad Ryland --- Need: 4 (re-sign P Blake Gillikin and LS Aaron Brewer)
Highest Needs (beside STs):
1. QB
2. DI
3. WR
4. WILB
5. T
Best Options in Free Agency or through Trades:
QB:
* Tanner McKee (PHI trade)
* UFA Daniel Jones (IND)
* UFA Malik Willis (GB)
DI:
* UFA David Onyemata (ATL)
* UFA John Franklin-Myers (DEN)
* UFA Roy Lopez (DET)
WR:
* UFA Deebo Samuels (WASH)
* UFA TuTu Atwell (LAR)
* UFA Jauan Jennings (SF)
* UFA Alec Pierce (IND)
WILB:
* UFA Matt Milano (BUF)
* UFA Willie Gay (MIA)
* UFA Christian Harris (HOU)
* UFA Leo Chenal (KC)
RT:
* Braden Smith (IND)
* Jermaine Eluemunor (NYG)
How Round 1of the 2026 NFL Draft Aligns to Cardinals' Top Needs:
QB:
* Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
* Dante Moore (Oregon)
* Ty Simpson (Alabama)
DI:
* Peter Woods (Clemson)
WR:
* Jordyn Tyson (Arizona St,)
* Carnell Tate (Ohio St.)
T:
* Francis Mauigoa (The U)
BPA: Top 7 on Big Boards
Mel Kiper Jr.
2026 NFL draft Big Board rankings: Mel Kiper's top prospects - ESPN
1. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon*
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 206 | Prev. rank: 1
2025 stats over 12 games: 72.5% completion rate, 2,733 passing yards, 24 TD passes, 6 INTs, 1 rushing TD
Moore is a third-year sophomore with some impressive traits. His accuracy has been solid all season, and he shows good touch on his deep ball. Moore can throw from different arm angles with precision and delivers strikes while rolling either left or right out of the pocket. He can scramble a bit too.
Moore started five games at UCLA in 2023 before sitting behind Dillon Gabriel in 2024, so he has only 17 career starts to date. Moore is still developing and will be only 20 years old at draft time. But the toolbox is loaded, and he plays with true command of the Ducks' offense. I see a lot of confidence in Moore's game; nothing ever seems to faze him.
2. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225 | Prev. rank: 2
2025 stats over 13 games: 71.5% completion rate, 2,980 passing yards, 33 TD passes, 6 INTs, 6 rushing TDs
Mendoza transferred to Indiana after playing two seasons at Cal, and his game has taken off. The key? He has cut down on sacks, with only 18 so far this season after taking 41 in 2024. Mendoza is getting the ball out quicker. And while he doesn't have a huge arm, he can make all the necessary NFL-level throws. His ball placement is fantastic. I wouldn't consider him a dual threat, but Mendoza also has enough mobility to pick up first downs as a scrambler.
3. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 214 | Prev. rank: 3
2025 stats over 12 games: 199 carries, 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, 27 catches, 280 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs
Love reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush. The 20-year-old has vision and burst between the tackles and to the outside, and he can break tackles with ease (60 forced missed tackles on the season). Once he gets into space, he can take it to the house with his breakaway speed too. But Love isn't only an outstanding runner. He also is a high-impact pass catcher. An NFL team will be able to flank him out wide and create a whole other dimension of the offense.
4. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 243 | Prev. rank: 4
2025 stats over 13 games: 62 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 9 run stops, 2 pass breakups
This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran. I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can't make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher. Reese has been a big riser in this class.
5. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 315 | Prev. rank: 9
2025 stats over 12 games: 12 starts, 1 sack allowed
Here's a true mauler. Mauigoa is fun to watch for the way he just destroys pass rushers at the point of attack. He has more than 2,400 snaps at right tackle and has the pass protection skill to stick there, but he could absolutely slide inside and become a Pro Bowl-caliber guard at the next level. Mauigoa has allowed one sack and blown only nine run blocks since the start of last season.
6. David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 250 | Prev. rank: 11
2025 stats over 13 games: 65 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 65 pressures, 7 run stops, 3 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups
A transfer from Stanford, Bailey gets after the quarterback. He had 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinal, and he has notably become more of a finisher this season. His 19.9% pressure rate is the best in the nation, and he is up to 13.5 sacks in 13 games with the Red Raiders, unlocking another level of his game.
7. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200 | Prev. rank: 5
2025 stats over nine games: 61 catches, 711 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs
The Colorado transfer has lit up defenses for two seasons with the Sun Devils. Tyson's superpower is being open even when it looks like he's completely blanketed. It makes him essentially uncoverable in the red zone. He wins on 50-50 balls and outmuscles defensive backs. A hamstring injury cost him time this season, but he still posted solid numbers.
_________________________
B/R NFL:
B/R NFL Scouting Dept.'s 2026 NFL Draft Top 150 Big Board (bleacherreport.com)
1. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State (9.3)
2. Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (8.7)
3. CB Mansoor Delane, LSU (8.6)
4. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (8.5)
5. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame (8.5)
6. LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State (8.5)
7. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (8.5)
_________________________________
- Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame): Jeremiah has compared Love to Reggie Bush, highlighting his vision, burst, and ability to be a high-impact pass catcher.
- Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State): He notes Tate as a top prospect due to his precise route running, great hands, and outstanding body control.
- Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami): Jeremiah has identified Mauigoa as a potential top offensive tackle in the class, capable of competing for a starting role immediately.
- Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State): Jeremiah considers Downs a top safety prospect with excellent versatility.
- Peter Woods (DT, Clemson): Mentioned as a disruptive, athletic interior player with great value.
- _______________________________
Pro Football Sports Network
2026 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Updated Big Board (profootballnetwork.com)
RANK | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami (FL) |
2 | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana |
3 | Dante Moore | QB | Oregon |
4 | Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State |
5 | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson |
6 | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn |
7 | Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State |
________________________________
PFF 2026 Big Board Top 7
2026 NFL Mock Draft Simulator (pff.com)
| SEASON | SNAPS | SEASON GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 619 | 83.8 |
| 2024 | 917 | 87.9 |
| 2023 | 890 | 85.6 |
| SEASON | SNAPS | SEASON GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 588 | 73.3 |
| 2024 | 309 | 76.4 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| SEASON | SNAPS | SEASON GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 707 | 92.5 |
| 2024 | 422 | 79.8 |
| 2023 | 627 | 82.2 |
| SEASON | SNAPS | SEASON GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 448 | 92.9 |
| 2024 | 465 | 91.1 |
| 2023 | 147 | 76.1 |
| SEASON | SNAPS | SEASON GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 782 | 90.5 |
| 2024 | 754 | 77.4 |
| 2023 | 549 | 67.5 |
| SEASON | SNAPS | SEASON GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 759 | 92.1 |
| 2024 | 29 | 58.4 |
| 2023 | 432 | 57.7 |
| SEASON | SNAPS | SEASON GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 555 | 83.6 |
| 2024 | 738 | 80.3 |
| 2023 | 17 | 51.7 |
- 1
- 3
- 4EDGEMiami (FL)
- 5QBIndiana
- 6QBOregon
- 7
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