In the wake of the Senior Bowl, Bucky Brooks has published his latest mock draft for the upcoming NFL draft. The Arizona Cardinals, with the third overall pick, are expected to bolster their offensive line by selecting Spencer Fano, an offensive lineman from Utah.
As the Cardinals navigate through a coaching change and assess the future of quarterback Kyler Murray, the team”s strategy is under scrutiny. Speculations abound regarding Murray”s status in Arizona, and if the organization decides to move on, they may need to seek help for the quarterback position in future drafts due to a lack of depth in the 2026 class.
Fano represents a significant addition to a struggling offensive line that allowed a pressure rate of 38.7%, ranking among the highest in the league during the previous season, according to Next Gen Stats. While the team contemplates its options at quarterback, it is unlikely they will target one with their first-round selection.
Addressing multiple vacancies on the offensive line is a priority for the Cardinals, making the prospect of securing Fano to solidify the right tackle position an appealing strategy. This move could work well alongside Paris Johnson, who has already established himself as a key player in the line-up.
However, selecting Fano would break a pattern observed over the last three years under general manager Monti Ossenfort, who has primarily chosen players from the SEC and Big Ten during the first two rounds. Notably, linebacker Arvell Reese from Ohio State is projected to be picked second overall, which creates an interesting dilemma for the Cardinals.
It remains to be seen whether Ossenfort will deviate from his established trend as the draft approaches, but this will be a critical factor to monitor in the coming weeks.
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