The 2026 NFL draft begins Thursday in Pittsburgh, and the Arizona Cardinals are slated to pick third in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (ESPN, ABC and the ESPN app).
The Cardinals have seven total picks: Nos. 3, 34, 65, 104, 143, 183 and 217. But how will they use them? Which positions need to be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the Arizona front office and coaching staff?
Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss has the latest intel on the team's draft plans, potential targets and more in the lead-up to the 2026 draft.
See more on the NFL draft: Latest mock draft | Prospect rankings
Will past mistakes lead Cardinals toward Love?
Thursday, April 23: The Arizona Cardinals had the No. 5 pick in the 2007 draft, and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson was in the Green Room at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, waiting to hear his name.
The Cards went with Penn State offensive tackle Levi Brown.
Peterson, who the Minnesota Vikings drafted at No. 7, went on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career. Brown did not.
Will the Cardinals be swayed by that mistake not to pass on ex-Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick tonight? Some believe the ghosts of that pick still linger inside the Cardinals' facility in Tempe and could potentially influence Arizona's decision.
Does Love make sense for Cards without a QB1?
Tuesday, April 21: With so much chatter connecting the Cardinals to former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, one source told ESPN that Love -- who the source said is "arguably the best player in the draft -- to Arizona would be a "no-brainer" if the Cardinals had a stronger roster and their quarterback situation figured out.
However, with Jacoby Brissett not attending the voluntary offseason program while he waits for a new deal and Gardner Minshew II the only other quarterback option at the moment, the source told ESPN that Arizona could end up wasting Love "unless there's a real plan in place," which means drafting a quarterback either in the second round or trading back into the first.
The approach to Love, who can be a foundational piece to Mike LaFleur's offense, would be different than, say, a right tackle or pass rusher, whose development wouldn't be affected by the quarterback position.
Could the Cards go QB in Round 1?
With the chatter connecting the Cardinals to former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson growing by the day, a source told ESPN "who knows" if Simpson is a first-round caliber quarterback.
"I think you can win with him, not because of him. Whatever round that is," the source said. "He's got ability and if you need one, you take one. You can talk yourself into or out of anything."
The Cardinals have the third-overall pick and have three quarterbacks currently on their roster, including two -- Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew -- with starting experience.
Candidates for No. 3 pick
Friday, April 10: The Cardinals, who own the third overall pick, have reportedly hosted 15 players on predraft visits with 13 days left until the first round of the NFL draft begins. Eight are offensive players, including two quarterbacks: Miami's Carson Beck and Alabama's Ty Simpson.
Arizona has also hosted Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who a source has told ESPN could be in play at No. 3. Arizona has also hosted two wide receivers and three offensive linemen while bringing in four defensive linemen and two of the best edge rushers in the draft in Texas Tech's David Bailey and Ohio State's Arvell Reese.
Edge rushers in play
Wednesday, April 8: The Cardinals have been linked to edge rushers with the third overall pick in a number of mock drafts despite having a crowded outside linebackers room.
Arizona currently has the likes of Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, BJ Ojulari, Baron Browning and Jordan Burch on the roster, a group that Collins described as versatile.
"I think we have multiple guys that play different styles," Collins said.
He added: "I think we have a bunch of great guys. We have Jordan that's coming up. B.J.'s getting healthy again. Obviously, Sweaty's Sweaty."