NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals take David Bailey

The Arizona Cardinals have been pegged with selecting two positions consistently in any mock draft — they either go with a pass rusher or a tackle. For a while, it was almost always a tackle. Now, with just over two weeks remaining until the actual 2026 NFL draft, the trend is moving toward pass rusher.

A new first-round mock draft from NFL.com's Rhett Lewis has the Cardinals going with a pass rusher — David Bailey out of Texas Tech.

Lots of options for the Cardinals here, including taking the top running back (Jeremiyah Love) or the top offensive lineman (Francis Mauigoa) in this year's class. But Bailey is also a top player, and at a premier position the Cardinals desperately need after finishing with just 30 sacks in 2025.

Ohio State's Arvell Reese goes second overall to the New York Jets.

Bailey makes so much sense for the Cardinals. He has both the ideal physical traits and the on-field production in college. The Cardinals badly need pass-rushing help for Josh Sweat, as the group of Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, Jordan Burch and BJ Ojulari combined for 5.5 sacks in 2025.

But once again we are seeing Love mentioned, even though running back would be seemingly redundant on this roster.

The top of the draft has very talented edge defenders. Bailey makes sense, which is why so many people wonder if that is why the Cardinals won't do it.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals take David Bailey