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Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the Arizona Cardinals, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Arizona Cardinals 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
Arizona took a risk with the selection of Jeremiyah Love (first round), who immediately becomes one of the highest-paid running backs but is likely to make minimal short-term impact on one of the worst teams in the league. Cardinals running backs gained 10 or more yards on just 8.2% of attempts last year, ranked 28th, which was likely a factor in their interest in the explosive Love. It’s also worth noting that Arizona is able to handle an expensive contract at the running back position due to the likelihood that it has a rookie contract at quarterback for most, if not all, of Love’s rookie deal.
Arizona was also likely attracted to the idea of pairing Love with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride to give its young quarterback 一 either Carson Beck or a first-round pick in 2027 一 plenty of support in terms of offensive weapons. So while drafting a running back third overall is an unconventional approach, it feels more justifiable given the current state of Arizona’s roster than it would for most franchises.
The selection of Chase Bisontis (second round) might also help the Cardinals' rushing attack. When Texas A&M ran to Bisontis’ gap in 2025, the Aggies averaged 2.1 yards before contact per attempt, ranked 42nd out of 150 qualified offensive guards. Bisontis played left guard in college, but the Cardinals just signed veteran Isaac Seumalo to a three-year contract for that role. So Bisontis likely moves to right guard and competes with Isaiah Adams for the starting job.
After solidifying its rushing attack, Arizona snagged quarterback Carson Beck (third round). This was an odd choice for a team with little hope of competing in 2026. Beck has struggled with decision-making throughout his career. He finally found a groove late in the 2025 season at Miami, only after he morphed into a game manager. During Beck’s four playoff games in 2025, only 16.5% of his attempts were 15 or more yards downfield, and he completed just 4 of those 19 throws (21% completion rate). Beck was a turnover machine when he did throw downfield, averaging an interception once every 18 throws at 10 or more yards downfield over the last two years, ranked 73rd out of 86 power-conference quarterbacks.
Despite these concerns, Beck is likely to start for Arizona in the 2026 season. He made 43 career starts in college and will turn 25 in November, so there’s no point in sitting him behind Jacoby Brissett for long. Arizona needs to know if he’s a long-term option or if they’re going to draft another quarterback in what should be a stronger class in 2027.
Kaleb Proctor (fourth round) is an undersized but athletic lineman who is an odd fit in Arizona. The Cardinals lined up in a 3-4 defense 42% of the time 一 the only team that still used the 3-4 as its primary alignment 一 and Proctor likely provides depth at defensive end in that scheme. Although Proctor has impressive athleticism, his modest 7.1% pressure rate as a senior at the FCS level raises doubts about his ability to take advantage of those traits.
Reggie Virgil (fifth round) is a tall, skinny outside receiver who can stretch the field and provides some depth behind Harrison. Virgil did most of his work in the vertical route tree in college. He lacks the speed to consistently create separation but has fared well in contested situations, so he’ll likely see some downfield targets when he gets an opportunity.
Linebacker Karson Sharar (sixth round) was selected for the special teams units. Jayden Williams (seventh round) spent five years at Ole Miss, starting 34 games at both left and right tackle.
This was an odd construction of a draft class for Monti Ossenfort, taking a running back third overall and then reaching for a low-ceiling quarterback at the top of the third round. Ossenfort also took some risks in last year’s draft, selecting Walter Nolen (maturity, effort concerns) and Will Johnson (injuries) with his first two picks. That’s an awful lot of unconventional choices near the top of the draft, and Ossenfort’s reputation hangs in the balance as we watch these players develop over the next few seasons.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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