From The Nest (#4) – Breaking Down the Future in the Desert

After a relatively quiet offseason compared to the rest of the league, the Arizona Cardinals entered the 2026 NFL Draft with all seven of their original picks—one in each round. Despite many around the league viewing this draft class as weaker than usual, the Cardinals approached it with clear purpose. The organization felt confident in its current starting lineup at every position and focused instead on adding depth, hoping that some of the players selected could develop into future starters.

Today, we break down the draft picks who earned a spot on the 53-man roster. This review does not include players who were released or placed on the practice squad.

Kaytron Allen (RB), 22 — Penn State

Selected in the 4th Round with the 29th pick, Kaytron Allen joins the Cardinals with a clear developmental plan in place. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon expects Allen to eventually grow into the RB2 role and serve as the team’s primary power back behind lead runner Trey Benson. With James Conner aging and entering the final year of his contract, it’s evident Arizona is preparing for a transition in the backfield. The hope is that Allen and Benson can form a young, balanced duo—Benson providing the burst and acceleration, and Allen delivering strength and efficiency between the tackles. If Allen develops as expected, the Cardinals could have their backfield of the future already in-house.

Marcus Burke (WR), 23 — University of Central Florida

Among all of the Cardinals’ selections in the 2026 Draft, this was the one that felt the most predictable. For most of last season, Arizona’s receiving hierarchy was clear: Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kaden Prather established themselves as the top two options, while the third spot rotated between Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and Xavier Weaver. Entering this season, both owner Brad Pitt and Head Coach Jonathan Gannon made it clear that securing a reliable third receiver was a priority.

That led to the addition of Marcus Burke, the explosive playmaker out of UCF. With defenses expected to concentrate their top coverage on Harrison Jr. and Prather, Burke’s speed and sharp route running make him a natural candidate to capitalize. His ability to stretch the field and create separation gives Kyler Murray another dynamic target—one who could quickly become a key part of the Cardinals’ passing attack.

Drew Shelton (LT), 24 — Penn State

Despite having star tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and recently acquired veteran Taylor Moton anchoring the offensive line, the Cardinals made it a priority to add depth and a potential future starter. Johnson is expected to be a long-term fixture, but Moton is entering the latter stage of his career, making the right tackle spot a position that could open up in the next season or two.

Drew Shelton provides flexibility in that regard. While he was primarily drafted as a tackle, Coach Jonathan Gannon has not ruled out the possibility of playing him at left guard, noting the versatility Shelton displayed throughout the preseason. Whether he eventually claims Moton’s spot on the right side or earns playing time on the interior, Shelton enters the season as a valuable and adaptable piece for the offensive line room.

Mansoor Delane (CB), 24 — LSU

Arguably the most important pick of the draft for the Arizona Cardinals, their defensive struggles, particularly in the secondary, were evident last season despite the team fielding the league's highest-powered offense. The performances from the cornerback and safety rooms were consistently poor, underscoring the team's immediate need for defensive improvement. Marcus Delane, their first-round selection, is projected to be a future starter as he makes the transition from the college to the professional level. Coach Gannon has significant faith in Delane's speed and coverage abilities. Though a raw talent, the expectation is that hard work in practice and film study will help him develop into one of the best in the league.

Out of seven draft picks, four made it onto the main roster, with the rest being placed on the practice squad or released into free agency. The Cardinals coaching staff and front office have strong hope and belief that the 2026 rookie draft class will excel for the team and break out as impact players in the near future.