Hiring head coach Mike LaFleur and using plenty of 2025 NFL Draft capital on the defensive side of the football, it wouldn’t be a shock if the Arizona Cardinals opted for offense with the No. 3 overall pick this year.
But with a desperate need to add another pass-rushing threat opposite Josh Sweat, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Arizona dipping back into the defensive well with the selection of Texas Tech’s David Bailey in his mock draft published Tuesday.
Tough call here between Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. I have Reese one spot higher on my board, but the Cardinals might opt for the more proven production. … Simply put, he gets after the QB.
And yes, the team might need a quarterback this offseason if it moves on from Kyler Murray. But it’s also too early to reach for the draft class’s QB2 when Arizona has other big holes in the roster. I would expect the Cardinals to address their quarterback situation in free agency and turn their attention to defense in Round 1 — despite new coach Mike LaFleur’s offensive background.
Kiper’s latest prediction for the Cardinals is a switch-up from his first mock draft of the offseason where he had Arizona taking Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
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Among the top pass rushers in this year’s draft, Bailey, who is a top prospect to watch this NFL Draft Combine, paces the group in production compared to Reese and Rueben Bain Jr.
In his lone season at Texas Tech, the 2025 All-American racked up 14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 14 games played. He logged 81 total pressures and 23 quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus.
Getting reinforcements at pass rusher is key for the Cardinals this offseason after posting the third-fewest sacks in the league with 30 in 2025. Sweat (12) and defensive lineman Calais Campbell (6.5), who is an impending free agent, made up the majority of that total.
A lone Arizona State Sun Devil goes in the first round
As far as Arizona State prospects in the first round of Kiper’s mock draft, only one made the cut.
With the No. 14 overall pick, Kiper has the Baltimore Ravens selecting wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
The Ravens should bounce back in 2026, but they will be looking for a true outside receiver with the hands to soak in a bunch of Lamar Jackson targets. Going with Tyson here would allow Zay Flowers to live in the slot — where he is at his best — and lift the whole offense. Tyson caught eight TD passes in 2025, and he excels on contested catches thanks to his 6-foot-2 frame and overall strength.
Tyson, who dealt with a hamstring injury last year, appeared in nine games for the Sun Devils in 2025. He caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns.
The wide receiver is not expected to participate in on-field drills for the NFL Draft Combine as he continues to work his way back from the hamstring issue.
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