NFL mock draft: 3-round simulation doesn't get Arizona Cardinals a QB
It is another mock draft weekend. Every weekend until the actual 2026 NFL draft, we will run simulations for the Arizona Cardinals. Because compensatory picks have not been announced yet, exact Day 3 picks are still uncertain, so this mock draft simulation is only three rounds.
In this mock draft, using Pro Football Network’s simulator, the idea was to try and make it match with what NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said about the Cardinals. They could be in the mix for an edge rusher, and quarterback Ty Simpson would make sense in the second round.
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The Simpson pick didn’t happen, though.
Here are the results of the three-round mock draft.
Round 1: Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
The Cardinals have not drafted a player outside the Big Ten or SEC in the first two rounds of the draft in three drafts under general manager Monti Ossenfort. Bailey can be the exception. OhiO State’s Arvell Reese is on the board, and he woudl fit the profile, but Bailey is a standard, true edge rusher, and the Cardinals simply need help there. Josh Sweat had 12 sacks, and no one else made any sort of impact, and Sweat made no impact on any fourth quarter.
Bailey will make Sweat better, and Sweat’s presence will be great for Bailey.
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Round 2: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
We go back to the SEC. The Cardinals need a right tackle, and Proctor is a monster at 6-6, 369 pounds.
He fills that void in a large way.
Why couldn’t it be Alabama QB Ty Simpson? He was drafted 15th in this simulation.
Round 3: Arkansas CB Julian Neal
Another cornerback? Well, yes, because the Cardinals’ corners can’t stay healthy. Neal would pair nicely with Will Johnson with both of their size. Johnson is 6-2. So is Neal.
So the Cardinals add defensive help and get a bookend tackle. That’s not a bad result.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: 3-round simulation doesn’t get Arizona Cardinals a QB