Carson Beck drafted by Cardinals: How QB fits in Arizona

Carson Beck spent his college football career crossing the Florida-Georgia line. Now he's heading to Arizona to start his professional career.

The former Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Bulldogs quarterback has been selected by the Cardinals with the No. 34 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It takes another quarterback off the board as Beck follows Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson as the signal callers making the jump from the college to pro ranks.

Ranked as the sixth-best quarterback on USA TODAY Sports' big board, Beck had seen his draft stock drop consistently over time after initially being a projected top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Some of that is because of turnovers and inconsistent play on the field. Some of that is because of an injury that required surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow.

Rather than enter the draft with that medical issue hanging over him, Beck instead transferred to Miami.

Unsurprisingly, Beck is at his best when he's surrounded by quality talent in a timing-based system. All the evidence you need is rooted in his level of play when Brock Bowers or Malachi Toney were on the field. Battle-tested in more ways than one, Beck will now put his focus on a new challenge.

Here's what to know about where Beck lands on the team's depth chart and his overall fit with the Cardinals.

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.

Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.

Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.

Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

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See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

1 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

2 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.

3 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

4 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

5 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.

6 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

7 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

8 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.

9 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

10 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

Cardinals QB depth chart

• Jacoby Brissett
• Gardner Minshew
• Carson Beck
• Kedon Slovis

How does Carson Beck fit with the Cardinals?

The Cardinals have a need at quarterback and the 2026 NFL Draft wasn't exactly loaded with options. In that case, the fit is a logical one for both Beck and Arizona.

Arizona hopes to feature a strong rushing attack to set up play action, which would utilize Beck's skillset. He is at his best in timing-based systems, meaning he would be suited to play for a Mike LaFleur team that relies on throwing with anticipation.

His arm strength took a hit following the injury, which certainly won't help Beck in the deep passing game.

He'll have to improve his ability to handle pressure and cut down on the turnovers, but it's a worthwhile risk for a Cardinals team that could easily dip into the 2027 quarterback class if this doesn't work out.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who drafted Carson Beck? QB's fit with Cardinals, depth chart