An All-Offense Cardinals draft: What if?

Round 1: Pick #3

RB Jeremiyah Love (6’-0”, 212 pounds) – Notre Dame

Yeah, offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa will be available, and he recently had an issue with his back, but he has received full clearance. He is a very good player and would solve a ton of issues, but good offensive tackles will be available in every round. Exceptional running backs won’t be.

Love will completely change this offense. The receiver and tight end situation is solved. All this offense needs is a stud running back, which is exactly what Love would bring. 1,372 yards this past year and 1,125 yards the season before, scoring 35 touchdowns combined. 594 career receiving yards with soft hands is a huge plus with an additional six TDs.

4.36 home run speed. Outstanding contact balance, patient, with good vision. Willing blocker who runs with power.

What is the status of James Conner and Trey Benson? Will either be the same before their injuries? Selecting Love means one of these backs isn’t needed.

Round 2: Pick #34

OT Max Iheanachor (6’-6”, 321 pounds) – Arizona State

The Cardinals get their tackles, and this one is really good. Big-bodied with long arms and a nasty disposition. Quick feet with natural hip fluidity allow him to mirror speed off the edge. Can seal the front side or climb to the second level.

Iheanachor allowed zero sacks in his final college season, and his initial punch can knock defenders off their spot.

Round 3: Pick #65

OG Keylan Rutledge (6’-3”, 316 pounds) – Georgia Tech

Another great offensive line mate will complete what the Cardinals are hoping to secure from this year’s draft – one tackle and one guard.

Another nasty dude who was a champion shot-puter. Powerful hands at the point of attack. Stout anchor who finishes blocks. Durable and tough with a competitive temperament that ramps up as the game rolls along. Very good puller who can play center and both guard positions.

Round 4: Pick #104

QB Garrett Nussmeier (6’-1”, 203 pounds) – LSU

Undersized pocket passer with legitimate arm talent that has not been able to make up for some flaws in his game. Nussmeier is inconsistent in diagnosing coverages and working through progressions, which limits his ability to counter what defenses show him.

He plays with a gunslinger’s mindset and doesn’t consistently prioritize ball security. He has a compact release and can spin impressive throws from off-platform angles when needed. He will make a throw that makes you a believer in one series, but he often follows that up with a turnover that reignites the doubt. He has adequate mobility in the pocket and limits his sack count. Teams will need to balance Nussmeier’s mistakes and durability concerns against his potential to improve on his LSU output.

Nussmeier would be in a good position to learn from seasoned veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew and develop for the future without having to start right away. Was the MVP of the Senior Bowl.

Round 5: Pick #143

C Jager Burton (6’-4”, 312 pounds) – Kentucky

Purely a depth pick as Hjalte Frodholdt isn’t going anywhere. Burton can also play guard, but his natural position is center. Will provide a dependable backup in the event of injury.

Good speed for a lineman in that he runs a 4.94 in the 40. Very good puller and easily gets to the second level. Adequate foot quickness with surprising agility. Good outside leverage and effective in short-yardage situations.

Round 6: Pick #183

TE Tanner Koziol (6’-7”, 250 pounds) – Houston

Koziol gives this new Cardinals’ offense an instant Red Zone target. Outstanding length and wingspan. He tested well at the Combine on lower-body explosiveness. Dependable target and will dominate on intermediate routes. A very durable player.

The Cardinals already have a good tight end group. Koziol would add depth and, with his height, give LaFleur’s offense a key target in the end zone standing 6’-7”.

He does lack short-area quickness and needs work on his run blocking, but is a willing blockfield blocker. But Koziol runs a full route tree and came from a pass-happy system in college.

Round 7: Pick #217

WR Tyren Montgomery (6’-1”, 185 pounds) – John Carroll

Former star basketball player Ty Montgomery was a complete unknown until he showed up at the Senior Bowl and blew everybody away. He caught everything thrown his way. He came to this All-Star game as an undrafted prospect and now has at least a Round 6 grade and would not surprise anyone to see him go in the fifth round.

Arizona’s receiver room looks pretty good. Montgomery would give the team a developmental player who could become WR4 in Week 1.

He broke the school records for single-season catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He scored 17 TDs in his final college season. Accolades: D-3 First Team All-American, First Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference, OAC Wide Receiver of the Year, AFCA Second Team All-American (2024), Senior Bowl invitee, American Bowl All-Star Game invitee

Overview

Certainly, the Cardinals are not going to take all offensive players in the 2026 NFL draft. Their defense needs at least half the draft worth. And the fact that the new head coach is an offensive mind doesn’t mean that the franchise should only focus on that side of the ball.

But look at this draft. If something like this did truly happen, just look at how much the offense would become altered.

Suddenly, this group would be infused with an Emmitt Smith-type running back. WR4, and a guy who might be a capable starter sooner than later, would be on the roster. A huge tight end is now available with those third-and-short situations and as they enter the Red Zone.

A quarterback who just might be the starter one day, but can be on the bench for at least a full season under two veterans to teach him stuff. And the offensive line? Two starters and one backup. Immediately.