Could the Arizona Cardinals shock the NFL and trade the No. 3 overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft?

With the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets widely expected to address their QB problems, Indiana University’s Fernando Mendoza and the University of Oregon’s Dante Moore will most likely be the players drafted. That leaves the Arizona Cardinals possibly staring at a clean board and a choice that challenges conventional thinking. Could Arizona possibly be a trade partner with the Raiders and Jets for a young QB, and trade Kyler Murray? Or is the chance of a trade down to help build the roster on the table?

It is unlikely that the Raiders or Jets will be willing to find a trade partner, as their biggest need could easily be filled, and the future gets a little brighter for both franchises with a new face of the team. If Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort decides to stick with Murray for the future of this Cardinals offense, one of the biggest needs that would help make this offense go would be building up their offensive line.

Although there is a route where the Arizona Cardinals could end up with some elite talent, and get other assets to help address other needs. A scenario where the Cardinals trade down and still end up with a top OT in the game, such as the University of Utah’s Spencer Fano, is a definite possibility. Locally, this would signal Arizona’s commitment to building an offense defenses dread, not just respect. Nationally, it would challenge the league’s obsession with drafting for need rather than leverage. Building up the trenches makes reading plays simpler, confidence steadier, and growth faster, all things that the Cardinals need heading into the 2026 NFL season.