GLENDALE – Less than a six hours away from the NFL Draft, and the Arizona Cardinals decision to stay at third overall is a toss up. Early reports had the franchise looking to trade back, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted earlier in the week that the franchise is open to taking Norte Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with top pick. The report could’ve been a way to garner up value from trade partners, and it seems to be working as teams are flocking towards general manager Monti Ossenfrot for potential trade up.
The three teams that are likely to trade up are Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs, all looking for different players.
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort during a pre-draft news conference on April 16, 2026, at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe. Syndication: Arizona Republic
The Commanders are all-in on drafting Love, doing nothing significant during free agency to improve the run game. Schefter’s report could’ve been a ploy by Arizona to get Washington to improve its trade package for the third overall pick. However, Adam Peters could easily call Ossenfort’s bluff and see if he actually takes Love third overall. Arizona already has three running backs on the roster and adding a fourth one makes the backfield quite crowded.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill (R) and GM Monti Ossenfort watch the team play against the Saints during a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.
Dallas and Kansas City are each looking at two different defensive prospects. The Cowboys seem locked in to stay in state for Texas Tech edge David Bailey. With 14.5 sacks in his final collegiate season, Bailey seems like the total package. General manager Jerry Jones has the value to trade up to third overall, possessing the ninth and 20th pick in the first round.
NFL reporter Albert Breer stated that the Chiefs trading up to three if Ohio State edge Arvell Reese is available has a real chance. Reese has been connected to the New York Jets with the second overall pick, but if the franchise elects to go Bailey instead, then Kansas City could snag its guy via a trade.
Regardless, who is taken with the first two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cardinals’ phones will be ringing with potential trade packages. For a roster that just went 3-14, Ossenfort is looking to accumulate as much assets possible to rebuild this franchise from the ground up.
Who would be the worst option for Cardinals third overall in 2026 NFL Draft?