The 2026 NFL Draft officially starts at 5 p.m. MST on Thursday, April 23, with the Arizona Cardinals holding the No. 3 overall pick.
Due to a rule change this year, each team now has eight minutes to make its first-round selection, down from 10 minutes in prior drafts. As a result, the Cardinals will likely make their pick shortly after 5:15 p.m. MST.
However, that might not be their only duty of the night. The Cardinals’ next pick is slated for No. 34 overall — the second pick of the second round on Friday night — but they have been heavily connected to potential trades that could bring them back into the first round.
The first round will likely conclude around 9 p.m. MST.
Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill with former Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson during his retirement news conference at the Cardinals' Tempe facility on April 14, 2025.Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, on Dec. 27, 2015.Arizona Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon.Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) yells towards the fans after taking a 18-15 lead in the fourth quarter during NFL action against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 28 at State Farm Stadium.Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) is introduced before playing against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. September 23, 2018.Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) celebrates his interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, on Dec. 30, 2026.Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on Oct. 5, 2025.Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (9) runs after an interception against the Patriots during the first half of a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 12, 2022.Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium in Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) warms up during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch ahead of Daron Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) is introduced before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 16, 2025.1 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill with former Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson during his retirement news conference at the Cardinals' Tempe facility on April 14, 2025.1 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill with former Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson during his retirement news conference at the Cardinals' Tempe facility on April 14, 2025.2 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, on Dec. 27, 2015.3 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon.4 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) yells towards the fans after taking a 18-15 lead in the fourth quarter during NFL action against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 28 at State Farm Stadium.5 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) is introduced before playing against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. September 23, 2018.6 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) celebrates his interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.7 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, on Dec. 30, 2026.8 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on Oct. 5, 2025.9 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsCardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (9) runs after an interception against the Patriots during the first half of a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 12, 2022.10 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium in Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.11 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsCardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) warms up during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025, in Glendale.12 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsMarvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch ahead of Daron Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.13 / 13Arizona Cardinals 1st-round NFL draft picks over the yearsArizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) is introduced before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 16, 2025.Here is some other key information entering draft day.
The NFL draft is broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
The ABC show is hosted by Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban and Desmond Howard. It focuses on players’ journeys to the NFL from a college football perspective.
The ESPN show takes more of an NFL lens, with Mike Green, Mel Kiper Jr., Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick hosting.
Similarly, the NFL Network show is hosted by Rich Eisen, Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis and Joel Klatt.
The Cardinals hold picks number 3, 34, 65, 104, 143, 183 and 217 in this year’s draft — one pick in each round. Each of the seven picks is their own selection.
The Cardinals’ biggest needs are at quarterback, right tackle and interior defensive line. But there is not perceived to be a player at any of those positions who is worth the No. 3 overall selection — excluding quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick.
As such, the Cardinals’ top options include running back Jeremiyah Love, edge rusher David Bailey and edge rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese.
Love is seen as perhaps the best overall prospect in this class, but he plays a position that is rarely drafted inside the top five. Bailey and Reese, meanwhile, are riskier prospects but play a position that is harder to find outside of the early first round.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When do Arizona Cardinals pick in 2026 NFL Draft?