We are now in April and Draft Wire's Curt Popejoy has a new three-round mock draft to look at. Miami QB Cam Ward is the first player selected, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders goes third overall and three quarterbacks are taken in the first round.
What do the Arizona Cardinals do? With their three selections in the first three rounds, they go with a cornerback, offensive lineman and defensive tackle.
Let's have a look at who they are.
NFL mock draft: Cardinals picks in Rounds 1-3
- Round 1: Texas CB Jahdae Barron
- Round 2: Minnesota OL Aireontae Ersery
- Round 3: Texas DT Vernon Broughton
Analysis
While the Cardinals don't have a huge need at cornerback considering they have selected five in the last two drafts and three with top-90 picks, Barron would improve the group. But with edge rushers and defensive tackles going in five of the eight picks that follow, it feels like the Cardinals are missing out.
But if they view Barron as a better prospect than Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart and Donovan Ezeiruaku, then the pick makes sense.
It is completely believable that the Cardinals will take a take in the first two rounds of the draft. GM Monti Ossenfort wants to build the trenches and right tackle Jonah Williams is coming off an injury and has only one year remaining on his contract. Ersery prepares them for 2026.
Broughton is 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds. He had four sacks, five tackles for loss, three tipped passes, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries last season. He has long 35-inch arms. A defensive tackle in the first three rounds is also expected from the Cardinals.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals add CB, OL, DL in 3-round projections
