The Arizona Cardinals made a stunning swing with the No. 65 pick in the NFL draft, selecting Miami quarterback Carson Beck.
Beck arrives in Arizona after a six-year collegiate career in which he spent five seasons at Georgia and one at Miami. He was widely projected to be selected on the third day of the draft — in rounds four through seven — but instead landed in Arizona with the first pick of the third round.
The Cardinals have selected offensive players with each of their first three picks: Running back Jeremiyah Love, offensive guard Chase Bisontis and now Beck.
The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick running back Jeremiyah Love during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.Cardinals take running back in 1st round of NFL draft: What's the grade?
1 / 18Jeremiyah Love introduced by Arizona Cardinals. See photosThe Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick running back Jeremiyah Love during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.Cardinals take running back in 1st round of NFL draft: What's the grade?
The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick running back Jeremiyah Love during a news conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.Cardinals take running back in 1st round of NFL draft: What's the grade?
Reaching for Beck makes little sense, and not just because of the value. Yes, he was projected as a Day 3 pick, behind LSU's Garrett Nussmeier. But the Cardinals are a year away from being in a position to draft a franchise quarterback. This draft should have been about building the foundation to prepare that player for success, as they did in the first two rounds.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals take stunning swing on QB in 3rd round. What's the grade?