The Arizona Cardinals are going to have options when the No. 3 overall pick rolls around this NFL Draft.
One of those potential options just declared for April’s spectacle in Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
“(To) the University of Miami, thank you for giving me the best three years of my life,” Mauigoa said Thursday on Instagram. “Coach (Mario Cristobal) and coach (Alex Mirabal), thank you for giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“The hard work and the culture y’all have instilled in me are something I will carry on for the rest of my life. ‘How you do anything is how you do everything.’ … With that being said, I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”
Francis Mauigoa linked to Cardinals’ No. 3 pick in NFL Draft
While Utah’s Spencer Fano has gotten a lot of love as potentially the top offensive tackle taken this draft, don’t sleep on Mauigoa.
The Miami Hurricane is coming off a stellar season and was a key part in helping his team reach the national championship game.
The Associated Press First-Team All-American allowed just two sacks and four QB hits all year, according to Pro Football Focus. That includes clean sheets in both departments throughout four College Football Playoff games.
For a Cardinals team that could certainly use an upgrade at right tackle, especially with Kelvin Beachum and Jonah Williams becoming free agents, Mauigoa would check a box.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. paired the lineman with the Cardinals in his mock draft released Wednesday.
Mauigoa would have just missed the chance to join his brother, linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, with the Jets, but I still have Francis as a top-three pick thanks to his mauling play style, experience (41 career starts) and overall consistency as a blocker. Since Kelvin Beachum is a free agent, Mauigoa could slide in at right tackle and help spring James Conner and Trey Benson for big runs next season. The quarterback situation is still unsettled, but no matter who is under center, the protection has to be right.
Either way, the Cardinals are going to need to address the offensive line this offseason after it struggled mightily in 2025.
Currently, undrafted free agent Josh Fryar, practice squad edition Demontrey Jacobs and Christian Jones make up the depth at tackle behind starter Paris Johnson Jr. Getting some added depth along the interior wouldn’t hurt, either.
Mauigoa joined fellow projected top-five pick and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in announcing his entrance into the draft this week.
Mendoza is currently projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, landing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
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