Cardinals Nab QB Carson Beck in Round 3 of 2026 NFL Draft

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals wrapped the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on Saturday, headlining their class with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 overall before pivoting to quarterback Carson Beck from Miami in Round 3, pick No. 65. Pre-draft buzz had pegged Beck as a top Cardinals target, with league sources noting the team ranked the 6-foot-4, 220-pound gunslinger ahead of Alabama's Ty Simpson internally. Beck, who threw for 4,352 yards and 31 touchdowns in his final college season, fills a long-term need behind Kyler Murray amid ongoing evaluations of the franchise QB.

Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort emphasized Beck's prototypical size, arm strength and pocket presence as ideal fits for Arizona's desert offense at State Farm Stadium. The selection quells speculation from outlets like ESPN, which listed the Cardinals as a 'sleeper' QB suitor entering the draft with only Moore, Simpson and Fernando Mendoza holding first-round grades. Arizona Sports analysts had debated trading up from the Cardinals' mid-round perch, but Ossenfort opted to build depth without overreaching.

Local fans packed Tempe bars during the draft telecast, erupting for Love's speed -- 4.38 in the 40-yard dash -- before cheering Beck's polish against ACC defenses. With Murray's contract extension looming post-2026, Beck provides insurance and competition, signaling Ossenfort's aggressive rebuild in the Valley of the Sun. The duo headlines a class blending immediate impact with Valley-ready talent.