Carson Beck Pick Seen as Lottery Ticket Over Safer Building Block Option

Carson Beck (Image Credits: Imagn)

Carson Beck Pick Seen as Lottery Ticket Over Safer Building Block Option

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Sarthak Khanna | Last updated Apr 25, 2026 4:01 AM ET

For the Arizona Cardinals, the selection of Miami QB Carson Beck with the 65th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has ignited a lot of debates on social media. CFB analyst Kyle Odegard recently took to social media to voice his concerns. He emphasized the consequences of using a third-round pick on a “lottery ticket” when the roster is starving for foundational talent.

Historically, the third round has been the Cardinals’ sweet spot for finding “building blocks.” Proving his point, Odegard pointed to a long list of names, including Tyrann Mathieu, David Johnson, and John Brown.

These weren’t gambles; they were immediate contributors. Odegard wrote, “The problem with the Carson Beck pick is the opportunity cost.”

The problem with the Carson Beck pick is the opportunity cost.

AZ has gotten guys like Tyrann Mathieu, David Johnson, John Brown, Zach Allen, Mike Wilson and Garrett Williams in the third round in recent memory.

They gave up the chance at a building block for a lottery ticket.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) April 25, 2026

By taking Beck, a player with undeniable size but a history of elbow surgery and fluctuating production, Arizona has bypassed a potential every-down starter in favor of a developmental project.

The High Stakes of the Carson Beck Gamble

The risk feels even bigger considering the Cardinals’ current instability. Ever since Kyler Murray’s departure in March, the quarterback room has been unstable and unreliable. While the front office clearly feels the need to take a swing at a future starter, critics argue that the third round is too valuable to spend on a quarterback who many scouts project as a high-end backup rather than a franchise savior.

Carson Beck. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

By prioritizing a “lottery ticket” like Beck, Arizona is betting that his lone, productive season at Miami—where he threw for over 3,800 yards and 30 touchdowns—is the best version of Carson Beck.

But if he fails to develop, the Cardinals will have wasted a premium selection that could have secured a starting edge rusher or offensive lineman. If the decision goes badly, Carson Beck’s draft might haunt Arizona for a long while.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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