NFL mock draft: New projections have Arizona Cardinals taking David Bailey

The 2026 NFL draft begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET from Pittsburgh, and the Arizona Cardinals have the third overall pick. The talk surrounding their selection started as a debate between taking an offensive lineman and a pass rusher, and then progressed to potential trades, taking running back Jeremiyah Love and how they could land quarterback Ty Simpson in potential scenarios trading back into Round 1.

In some final mock drafts, though, things are settling back into the original positions. In the final mock draft for NFL.com's Eric Edholm, the Cardinals don't trade back, don't take a running back and don't get a quarterback.

They get a pass rusher — Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey.

This one doesn't feel set to me, with OT Francis Mauigoa looking like another possible option, while trading down would, I'd think, be the ultimate dream. But Bailey would add another rush threat to what should be a terrific Cardinals front.

At the end of the day, they want to trade back. And while there is a push to take Jeremiyah Love third overall if no trade emerges, that ultimately won't happen, and the Cardinals would take a pass rusher in this scenario.

It will be soon enough that we know how it actually plays out.

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