Full Breakdown
Arizona Cardinals Draft Carson Beck with 65th Overall Pick
4/25/2026, 8:47:30 PM
Core Event: Cardinals Select Carson Beck at No. 65
On April 25, 2026, the Arizona Cardinals used the first pick of the third round (65th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck. He became the third quarterback taken in the draft, following Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick Fernando Mendoza and Los Angeles Rams second-round pick Ty Simpson.
Background & Context: Quarterback Vacancy After Kyler Murray
The selection addressed a roster need created when former franchise quarterback Kyler Murray departed for the Minnesota Vikings in March. Arizona entered the draft with a quarterback room that already included veteran Jacoby Brissett, former starter Gardner Minshew II, and undrafted former Arizona State quarterback Kedon Slovis. General manager Monti Ossenfort had previously said the team was not obligated to draft a quarterback, but the third-round slot offered a low-risk opportunity.
Player Profile & Statistics: Carson Beck’s College Record
Beck entered the NFL after a single season at Miami, where he posted a 72.4 % completion rate for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Across his collegiate career (five seasons at Georgia, two at Miami) he started 43 games, compiled a 37-6 record, threw for 11,725 yards, 88 touchdowns and 32 interceptions, and appeared in three national-championship games, including a CFP semifinal win at State Farm Stadium.
Draft Context & Analyst Grades
CBS Sports graded the pick a “D,” calling it a “relative slap in the face” to fans after recent investments at running back and guard. Analyst Matt Miller placed Beck at No. 34 on his draft board, while ESPN’s Lance Zierlein noted “NFL-caliber size” but flagged reduced deep-ball velocity and pressure-induced mistakes. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler described his ceiling as “pretty low” for an NFL quarterback. The pick contrasted with pre-draft speculation that Arizona might target Ty Simpson, who was selected by the Rams at No. 13.
Official Statements & Responses
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said Beck “looks the part,” describing him as a “big, solid dude” and a “natural thrower.” Ossenfort emphasized that adding Beck does not affect the team’s approach to Jacoby Brissett, calling the two moves “completely independent.” The organization highlighted Beck’s experience in high-leverage games as a factor in the decision.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts and fans expressed skepticism. Trevor Sikkema of the NFL Stock Exchange stared at the draft board for 15 seconds after Beck was announced. Social-media users questioned the value of a third-round quarterback, with one tweet asking, “Why are you wasting a third-round pick on a QB with a backup ceiling?” Dane Brugler reiterated concerns about Beck’s limited upside.
Impact & Outlook
Beck joins a quarterback room lacking a clear long-term starter, providing depth behind Brissett and Minshew. The low-cost third-round investment allows Arizona to retain flexibility for a potential 2027 quarterback draft or free-agency move. If Beck develops, he could serve as a reliable backup or compete for starts should injuries or contract disputes arise.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Evaluations diverge on Beck’s ceiling: Zierlein projects him as a “good backup with starter potential,” while Brugler and other analysts view his upside as limited. The Cardinals have not disclosed Beck’s contract details beyond the standard rookie scale, and the team has not indicated whether he will compete for the starting role in 2026.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m super excited, super grateful, super blessed,” — Carson Beck, quarterback
- “He’s a big, solid dude. … He looks the part,” — Mike LaFleur, head coach
- “I don't think it really does. I think it's completely independent. Excited to add Carson in. He's going to have two veterans to work with that have played a lot of football. Really, I think those are two independent things.” — Monti Ossenfort, general manager
- “The ceiling is pretty low for him in terms of what he is as an NFL quarterback.” — Dane Brugler, analyst
What’s Next
Beck’s rookie contract is expected to be the league-minimum (~$1.3 million). He will report to rookie minicamp in May, followed by training camp where he will learn the offense behind Brissett and Minshew. Arizona’s front office has indicated that the quarterback situation will be reassessed after the 2026 season, with the 2027 draft remaining a possible avenue for a franchise quarterback.
