GWG5'S MOCK DRAFT
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Full 2026

  • GWG5 DRAFTING FOR THE
    Cardinals
Draft Selections
Caleb Downs Head Shot
PICK: 3 RND: 1 (ARI)
Caleb Downs
S Ohio State
Anthony Hill Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 34 RND: 2 (ARI)
Anthony Hill Jr.
LB Texas
Lee Hunter Head Shot
PICK: 65 RND: 3 (ARI)
Lee Hunter
DT Texas Tech
Brenen Thompson Head Shot
PICK: 104 RND: 4 (ARI)
Brenen Thompson
WR Mississippi State
Kage Casey Head Shot
PICK: 143 RND: 5 (ARI)
Kage Casey
OT Boise State
Jadon Canady Head Shot
PICK: 183 RND: 6 (ARI)
Jadon Canady
CB Oregon
Cole Payton Head Shot
PICK: 217 RND: 7 (ARI)
Cole Payton
QB North Dakota State
Draft Grade — Cardinals
Overall B-
ValueB NeedB- TradesB- FutureB-
A respectable, level-headed haul for the Cardinals: B-.

It is the swing that defines the weekend: Jadon Canady in No. 183, a good 25 spots before the room expected him.

The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. Getting Hunter where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class.

A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.

Pick Analysis
Pick3 Rnd1 Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs in the Round 1 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Pick34 Rnd2 Anthony Hill Jr.
They paid sticker price for Anthony Hill Jr. in the 34th pick, and that is fine. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick65 Rnd3 Lee Hunter
Lee Hunter slid further than he should have, and pick 65 is lovely value for the interior defensive lineman. The roster fit checks out.
Pick104 Rnd4 Brenen Thompson
A quiet steal in Round 4, Pick 4: Brenen Thompson for less than the market said. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick143 Rnd5 Kage Casey
No drama and no debate, Kage Casey went about where he belonged in No. 143. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick183 Rnd6 Jadon Canady
They left a pile of value on the table to take Jadon Canady this early at slot 183. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Pick217 Rnd7 Cole Payton
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Cole Payton well ahead of where he belonged. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.