The Cardinals' Smartest 2026 NFL Draft Strategy?

By Walter Mitchell

It's pretty simple.

Todd McShay and other pundits are insisting that the Cardinals and Chiefs are going to make a trade with the Cardinals trading the #3 for the Chief's #9 pick and their 29th pick. 

This Saturday Morning Inspection video is outstanding --- very much worth taking the time to view it --- they touch all of the bases here:

https://youtu.be/2A_fzNVUjIw?si=mYsusfHfA3-5ViV5

SMI is convinced that the Chiefs are coveting David Bailey.  

                                                                                                                           

Mock Scenario:

2026 NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Free Trades and Grades (profootballnetwork.com)

FULL MOCK DRAFT RESULTS

1.

Fernando MendozaQB Indiana

2.

Carnell TateWR Ohio State

3.

David BaileyEDGE Texas Tech

4.

Arvell ReeseEDGE Ohio State

5.

Rueben Bain Jr.EDGE Miami (FL)

6.

Francis MauigoaOT Miami (FL)

7.

Caleb DownsS Ohio State

8.

Makai LemonWR USC

9.

Spencer FanoOT Utah

10.

Sonny StylesLB Ohio State

11.

Monroe FreelingOT Georgia

12.

Mansoor DelaneCB LSU

13.

Jordyn TysonWR Arizona State

14.

Jeremiyah LoveRB Notre Dame

15.

Keldric FaulkEDGE Auburn

16.

Olaivavega IoaneOG Penn State

17.

Kadyn ProctorOT Alabama

18.

Omar Cooper Jr.WR Indiana

19.

Dillon ThienemanS Oregon

20.

Caleb LomuOT Utah

21.

Jermod McCoyCB Tennessee

22.

Akheem MesidorEDGE Miami (FL)

23.

Blake MillerOT Clemson

24.

Kenyon SadiqTE Oregon

25.

Peter WoodsDT Clemson

26.

Chase BisontisOG Texas A&M

27.

Colton HoodCB Tennessee

28.

CJ AllenLB Georgia

29.

Ty SimpsonQB Alabama

30.

KC ConcepcionWR Texas A&M

31.

Christen MillerDT Georgia

32.

Brandon CisseCB South Carolina

The smartest 2026 draft strategy for the Cardinals?

Draft the Chiefs' choice: David Bailey.

The Cardinals met extensively with David Bailey at the NFL Combine and then on Top 30 visits.

The Chiefs college' scouts are some of the very best in the NFL.

Drink whatever they are drinking.

The Chiefs' interest in David Bailey should confirm the Cardinals' own.

How the trade could easily backfire on the Cardinals:

1. Passing an yet another top edge rusher at the top of the draft is such a poor look for a team that just gave up 32.8 points per game over their last 12 games, while coming in 30th in sacks and while losing their last 4 NFC West games: 44-22 (SEA), 41-22 (SF), 45-17 (LAR), 37-20 LAR --- giving up 41.8 ppg.

2. The second this trade is made, ever team in the NFL will believe that the Cardinals made this trade primarily to draft a RT and Alabama QB Ty Simpson. If another team is high on Simpson, they could trade ahead of pick #29. 

3. This is a costly and roundabout way to draft the supposed QBOF. If they are that sure of Ty Simpson, then they should take him at pick #9.

4. What doesn't make sense --- why would Monti sign three veteran tackles in Elijah Wilkinson, Matt Pryor and Olisaemeka Udoh to compete for the RT job with Josh Fryar and Christian Jones only to turn around and draft a tackle with his first pick, especially after not adding a bona fide edge rusher in free agency?

5. Then there is the Rams' reported interest in Ty Simpson to consider, which, imo, was one of the main reasons why the Rams hired Kliff Kingsbury to be the team's QBOF whisperer. The Rams have been playing a cat and mouse game with the Cardinals ever since the Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur. If the Cardinals take a tackle or defensive player at #9, then what's to stop the Rams from taking Ty Simpson at pick #13? Or what's from stopping them from trading down from #13 into the late teens or into the mid 20s to add more picks and still be able to take Ty Simpson ahead of the Cardinals.

6. What we at Red Rain have been saying all along, why trade down to take a tackle and QB in a draft that is strong at ED, LB and CB and weak at tackle and QB? Especially when the 2027 QB class is potentially phenomenal. As Sam has been saying all along, the Cardinals can't afford to screw up another QBOF scenario, which is why their best bet is to take their QBOF in Round 1 of the 2027 NFL Draft. 

Top 2 Strongest Positions per nfl.com:

Ranking 11 position groups in 2026 NFL Draft from strongest to weakest: Edge rusher, linebacker loaded

1) Edge defender (24.5 points)

David Bailey is rush-ready as a true pocket pillager. 

2) Linebacker (22.5 points)

T-8) Offensive tackle (17 points)

Unfortunately for tackle-needy teams, this year's class features more questions than answers over the first two rounds. Top prospects like Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano come with shorter-than-desired arms, while the gargantuan Kadyn Proctor is coming off a highly uneven season in pass protection. Caleb Lomu, Monroe Freeling and Max Iheanachor all have talent but are less polished than teams might like. There is an adequate number of starting-caliber bookends available early, but it becomes highly speculative for teams hunting quality depth by the middle of the third round.

11) Quarterback (13.5 points)

While Fernando Mendoza carries a higher grade and more star potential heading into the draft than Cam Ward did a year ago, the 2025 QB crop actually felt like it had better backup depth, which is a small separator from this year's group. Ty Simpson has a chance to become an NFL starter, but this is a below-average quarterback class with a low number of future starters and quality backups to choose from. It wouldn't shock me to see QB-hungry teams kick the can down the road and wait until next year.