2026 NFL Draft Team Needs & Predictions: Cardinals (2026)

The Arizona Cardinals sit at the center of the 2026 draft’s most complicated equation: a top-three pick, a quarterback contract decision with massive stakes, and a roster that needs help in the trenches on both sides. Whether Arizona pivots off its current QB situation or doubles down, their Round 1 move will shape not only the NFC — but also the fantasy landscape.

In this Cardinals edition, we break down: roster holes, cap/contract deadlines to watch, how the Cardinals should split their spending between veterans and rookies, and what it all means for fantasy drafts.

Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals

2026 Free Agents

RB: Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight (RFA) Emari Demercado (RFA)
WR: Greg Dortch, Zay Jones
TE: Travis Vokolek (ERFA), Pharaoh Brown
OL: Jonah Williams, Kelvin Beachum, Will Hernandez
DL: Calais Campbell, L.J. Collier, P.J. Mustipher (ERFA)
LB: Channing Tindall, J.J. Russell
CB: Darren Hall, Starling Thomas V (RFA)
S: Jalen Thompson
ST: Blake Gillikin, Aaron Brewer, Chad Ryland, Joshua Karty

2027 Free Agents

QB Jacoby Brissett
RB: James Conner, Corey Kiner
WR: Michael Wilson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Jalen Brooks, Andre Baccellia, Xavier Weaver (RFA), Tejhaun Palmer, Bryson Green
OL: Paris Johnson (CLUB), Hjalte Froholdt, Evan Brown, Jon Gaines II, Demontrey Jacobs (RFA)
TE: Elijah Higgins
EDGE: Zaven Collins, B.J. Ojulari, Bilal Nichols, Dante Stills
DL: Dalvin Tomlinson, Zach Carter
LB: Baron Browning, Mack Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gather, Eku Leota, Owen Pappoe
CB/S: Sean Bunting, Garrett Williams, Joey Blount, Kaelen King, Jaden Davis, Kei’Trel Clark

Team Needs: QB, RB, RT, IOL, EDGE, DT

Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort did not completely rule out Kyler Murray returning as the team’s starting QB – given that he is still under contract (with a cap hit north of $50M). New HC Mike LeFleur (and the team’s new offensive play caller) also hasn’t technically ruled out Murray as a QB option for 2026.

NFL insider Dianna Russini said there’s a belief that Murray will be tried in 2026. This is a reversal from just a few months ago, when Russini reported that nobody would be surprised if the team moved on from the 28-year-old QB.

Simply put, Arizona would like to be compensated for Murray, given how many QB-needy teams there are.

The contract complicates things because he’s still owed $36.8 million in fully guaranteed salary and bonuses for 2026, per the Athletic.

The Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Vikings, etc. could be potential suitors for the former No. 1 overall pick, especially if Arizona is willing to take on part of Murray’s deal in order to complete a trade. Also, there is genuine interest in Malik Willis as a Cardinals’ target in free agency:

Jace on X did a great job of outlining the team/player connection:

The Arizona Cardinals are a team to watch in the pursuit of free agent QB Malik Willis, per @JFowlerESPN. pic.twitter.com/A7P6PtOvie

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) February 8, 2026

Jacoby Brissett is under contract until 2027.

Arizona will have to decide what to do with Murray by March 16th, because that’s when the Cardinals QB will be guaranteed his $19.5 million base salary for the 2027 season (per ESPN).

All the breadcrumbs suggest a trade is most likely, with many circling the Vikings as the premier landing spot for the short-statured quarterback. We know QBs want to go to Minnesota and play for Kevin O’Connell. Worked for all the other veterans.

Nevertheless, Murray is probably going to open as a Week 1 starter somewhere in 2026. Best ball drafters should take advantage of his ADP price outside the top-20 QBs.

Veteran James Conner is a legitimate cut candidate – 31 years old and coming off a season-ending foot injury entering the last year of his contract – and Trey Benson hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his two seasons.

Given both LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett’s ties to Breece Hall from their days with the New York Jets, the desert could be a sneaky landing spot if Hall doesn’t return to Gang Green. Keep in mind that one of Hall’s best seasons came with Hackett as the Jets’ OC in 2023 (Hall was fantasy’s RB2).

The offensive line has a ton of free agents over the next two seasons, with RT specifically the biggest immediate need (Kelvin Beachum will be 36 and is on an expired deal).

Defensively, the Cardinals need more pass rush juice, ranking 30th in PFF pass rush grade and 29th in pressure rate generated in 2025.

They have interior players, but it remains to be seen how second-year DT Walter Nolen will recover from his December Achilles injury. Calais Campbell will be 40 years old in 2026.

Then, considering all their 2027 defensive line free agents, Arizona may need to use 2026 to extend or replace core pieces early.

The secondary isn’t catastrophic, but they need to stay healthier than they were last season. Safety Jalen Thompson is also a free agent (second in defensive snaps played behind Budda Baker).