The Arizona Cardinals will pick third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, starting at 5 p.m. MST on April 23. They may also trade to move back into the first round later that night.
Key points
Arizona Cardinals pick third overall in 2026 NFL Draft
Draft starts at 5 p.m. MST on April 23
Teams have eight minutes for first-round selections
Cardinals' next pick is No. 34 overall in the second round
Potential trades could bring Cardinals back into the first round
Arizona CardinalsNFL Draft 2026
When do Arizona Cardinals pick in 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft officially starts at 5 p.m. MST on Thursday, April 23, with the Arizona Cardinals holding the No. 3 overall pick.
Due to a rule change this year, each team now has eight minutes to make its first-round selection, down from 10 minutes in prior drafts. As a result, the Cardinals will likely make their pick shortly after 5:15 p.m. MST.
However, that might not be their only duty of the night. The Cardinals’ next pick is slated for No. 34 overall — the second pick of the second round on Friday night — but they have been heavily connected to potential trades that could bring them back into the first round.
The first round will likely conclude around 9 p.m. MST.
Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill with former Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson during his retirement news conference at the Cardinals' Tempe facility on April 14, 2025.
Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, on Dec. 27, 2015.
Q&A
What time does the 2026 NFL Draft start for the Arizona Cardinals?
The 2026 NFL Draft starts at 5 p.m. MST on April 23.
What is the Arizona Cardinals' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Arizona Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
How much time do teams have to make their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Teams now have eight minutes to make their first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Could the Arizona Cardinals trade for more picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Yes, the Cardinals have been heavily connected to potential trades that could allow them to move back into the first round.
Related Articles
NHL
3 burning questions for Florida Panthers entering 2026 offseason
Florida Panthers Face Key Decisions Ahead of 2026 Offseason
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
El Stuttgart defenderá corona en Berlín ante el Bayern
Marca·
NFL
Why is Mike Vrabel at the NFL Draft? Explaining Patriots coach's counseling timeline and pending Day 3 absence
Mike Vrabel will miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft to seek counseling after recent photos with a reporter.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
Stuttgart reach DFB-Pokal final after extra-time victory over Freiburg
Stuttgart secures spot in DFB-Pokal final with extra-time win over Freiburg.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Cowboys, Jerry Jones make bold George Pickens call before NFL Draft
Jerry Jones and Cowboys Talk George Pickens' Future Ahead of NFL Draft
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
PFL heads to San Diego in June; A.J. McKee faces unbeaten foe in headliner
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) yells towards the fans after taking a 18-15 lead in the fourth quarter during NFL action against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 28 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) is introduced before playing against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. September 23, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) celebrates his interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, on Dec. 30, 2026.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on Oct. 5, 2025.
Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (9) runs after an interception against the Patriots during the first half of a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 12, 2022.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium in Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.
Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) warms up during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.
Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch ahead of Daron Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) is introduced before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 16, 2025.
1 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill with former Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson during his retirement news conference at the Cardinals' Tempe facility on April 14, 2025.
1 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill with former Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson during his retirement news conference at the Cardinals' Tempe facility on April 14, 2025.
2 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, on Dec. 27, 2015.
3 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon.
4 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) yells towards the fans after taking a 18-15 lead in the fourth quarter during NFL action against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 28 at State Farm Stadium.
5 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) is introduced before playing against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. September 23, 2018.
6 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) celebrates his interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.
7 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, on Dec. 30, 2026.
8 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on Oct. 5, 2025.
9 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (9) runs after an interception against the Patriots during the first half of a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 12, 2022.
10 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium in Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.
11 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) warms up during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.
12 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch ahead of Daron Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
13 / 13
Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the years
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) is introduced before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 16, 2025.
Here is some other key information entering draft day.
What channel is the NFL draft on?
The NFL draft is broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
The ABC show is hosted by Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban and Desmond Howard. It focuses on players’ journeys to the NFL from a college football perspective.
The ESPN show takes more of an NFL lens, with Mike Green, Mel Kiper Jr., Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick hosting.
Similarly, the NFL Network show is hosted by Rich Eisen, Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis and Joel Klatt.
What picks do the Arizona Cardinals have?
The Cardinals hold picks number 3, 34, 65, 104, 143, 183 and 217 in this year’s draft — one pick in each round. Each of the seven picks is their own selection.
Who will the Arizona Cardinals draft?
The Cardinals’ biggest needs are at quarterback, right tackle and interior defensive line. But there is not perceived to be a player at any of those positions who is worth the No. 3 overall selection — excluding quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick.
As such, the Cardinals’ top options include running back Jeremiyah Love, edge rusher David Bailey and edge rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese.
Love is seen as perhaps the best overall prospect in this class, but he plays a position that is rarely drafted inside the top five. Bailey and Reese, meanwhile, are riskier prospects but play a position that is harder to find outside of the early first round.
