There is a pool of NFL Draft prospects linked to the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick.
Any of them would fill a need and/or provide another playmaker for a franchise currently headed by a first-year head coach and a general manager who needs a first-round pick to go his way.
The prospects in the conversation have clearly done enough to warrant a first-round pick. But how much should a prospect’s negatives deter Arizona from using the No. 3 pick on them?
A closer look at the biggest red flags for the players most likely on the board for the Cardinals at third overall:
Biggest red flags for each of the Arizona Cardinals’ potential draft picks
What exactly is Ohio State’s Arvell Reese?
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
If there’s one thing to know about Reese, it’s that he’s a freak athlete.
As for where he fits in best at the NFL level, that’s up for debate.
RELATED STORIES
Schefter: 'Growing chatter' in NFL that Cardinals could draft RB Jeremiyah Love
Cardinals drop clues on NFL Draft thinking, including at QB
Cardinals noncommittal on Jacoby Brissett, Minshew as QB1 ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
Cardinals drop clues on NFL Draft thinking, including at QB
Cardinals noncommittal on Jacoby Brissett, Minshew as QB1 ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
A likely top 3 pick this draft, Reese started as an off-ball linebacker before coming off the edge and seeing his pass-rushing snaps increase dramatically in his final season at Ohio State.
He calls himself a pass rusher, though told ESPN’s Benjamin Solak he was making up pass-rushing moves off instinct alone.
On one side, his 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss without having a proper rush plan is impressive.
On the other, that kind of rawness could give plenty of teams pause, especially if they are searching for a true pass rusher.
The Cardinals are in that boat. They have a legit option in Josh Sweat on one side of the formation. The side opposite the vet, however, produced little.
It really depends on where a team falls on Reese’s rawness. Is it a blessing or a curse?
Concern level: High
David Bailey’s postgame altercation
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
There’s not a lot to hate when it comes to Bailey’s draft profile.
The most polished pass rusher in this draft class, the Texas Tech alum is coming off a massive year highlighted by 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.
He solidified his place in the top 5 of the draft with a strong NFL Draft Combine showing.
But how much does a 2025 incident following a loss to Arizona State impact his draft stock?
After falling 26-22 to the Sun Devils on Oct. 18, Bailey got into a physical altercation with photographer Mark Rebilas and had to be separated by teammates and coaches.
Rebilas later posted on Instagram that he filed a police report. No charges were ever filed.
Another altercation led to Bailey’s ejection in 2024 as a member of the Stanford Cardinal. Bailey was thrown out after stepping on the face of an NC State player.
Concern level: Moderate
Jeremiyah Love and the price of a first-round RB
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
It’s time to talk about Love.
As a prospect, what’s not to like? He possesses some real traits both as a runner and receiver that will translate well at the next level.
But at No. 3 overall, he’s a serious gamble for the Cardinals to consider.
The Cardinals have a filled-out running backs room after revising James Conner’s contract, bringing in free agent Tyler Allgeier and re-signing Bam Knight. Trey Benson is still on the roster, too.
There’s some roster redundancy here, though Love’s upside stands above all of the current Cardinals backs.
And who is blocking in front of him? While Love can create on his own, he’s going to need a line that can consistently move the pile.
Currently constructed, the left side appears ready for that challenge with Paris Johnson Jr. and Isaac Seumalo locking that down. The right side, not so much. Elijah Wilkinson is back with the team but is now playing right tackle after serving as a guard during his last stint. Sure, the track record includes 17 starts last year for Atlanta. He’s still a shaky starter option at best.
That No. 3 pick could instead be used on an offensive tackle like Miami’s Francis Mauigoa or be utilized as a trade-down chip where a top offensive lineman is likely still waiting to hear their name called. Maybe the Cardinals can land a tackle with their second pick.
Need more? How about the price tag for a first-round running back?
If Love were to go to Arizona at No. 3, he’d be set to average $12.6 million annually and $50.5 million total, according to Spotrac.
That is tops among all currently signed players in total and seventh by yearly average, more than Alvin Kamara, Josh Jacobs and James Cook.
Love would be an awesome addition for the offensive-minded Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals — if they were a running back away from contending and had the luxury to roll dice.
Concern level: High
Francis Mauigoa’s back issue
(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Mauigoa remains the top offensive tackle this draft class, though recent reporting has made the gap between him and Utah’s Spencer Fano slightly shorter.
In ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter’s draft intel story published Monday, Mauigoa is dealing with a herniated disc in his back. This report coming after Mauigoa went back to Indianapolis for a medical recheck on his back.
Schefter adds “teams say that if it worsens at all, Mauigoa would then need surgery that could sideline him roughly three months,” but that teams don’t sound overly concerned on his long-term status.
The last thing the Cardinals need is to draft another rookie who goes down before the season begins. Arizona has seen that in back-to-back seasons, with first-rounders Walter Nolen III and Darius Robinson both missing time to start their careers.
Concern level: Moderate
Where to start with Rueben Bain Jr.
(Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)
For a lot of the draft process, the biggest concern regarding Bain was his short arms.
Of the 11 pass-rushing prospects with arms the same size or shorter, none since 2015 went higher than the fifth round, according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite the short arms, Bain still produced at Miami, registering 20.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss in three seasons. He set career marks in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (15.5) last year.
Then there’s the off-the-field issues.
On top of a minor collision in 2025, Bain was issued a citation (which was later dismissed) for careless driving regarding a car crash that left 22-year-old Destiny Betts dead in 2024.
Bain was allegedly going 55 mph in a 60-mph zone. He was not given a sobriety test at the scene.
The family of the deceased have since wished Bain the best as he prepares for the NFL Draft.
Concern level: Low
Follow @Tdrake4sports
Hence then, the article about one red flag for each of the arizona cardinals potential draft targets was published today ( ) and is available on Arizona sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( One red flag for each of the Arizona Cardinals’ potential draft targets )
Also on site :
- BREAKING 50 footballers and F1 star 'linked to luxury prostitution ring' as arrests made
- Ronnie O’Sullivan v He Guoqiang LIVE: ‘The Rocket’ begins quest for record eighth World Snooker Championship title
- MI script ready for IPL 2026 title? Campaign bears resemblance to 2015 season