Arizona’s quarterback room is in transition as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
After parting ways with Kyler Murray, who was released on March 11 after seven seasons and later signed a one‑year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, the Arizona Cardinals are facing a full reset under center.
Murray leaves as the franchise’s all-time leader among quarterbacks in rushing yards (3,193), rushing touchdowns (32), and career completion rate (67.1%), though injuries have left Arizona’s QB future uncertain.
Now, fresh mock draft intel from ESPN’s Matt Miller has turned heads.
Miller’s latest projection slots Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck as the No. 1 pick in the third round by the Cardinals (No. 65 overall).
According to Miller, “after missing on Simpson in Round 2, the Cardinals could take a swing at QB here. Beck’s experience and strong pocket play would allow him to run the play‑action‑based offense Mike LaFleur brings to Arizona.”
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The Jacksonville, Florida, native began his career at Georgia, spending multiple seasons backing up Stetson Bennett before becoming the starter in 2023 and earning second-team All-SEC honors.
He was part of the Bulldogs’ back-to-back national championship teams in 2021 and 2022 while serving as Bennett’s backup.
After two seasons as Georgia’s starter, Beck transferred to the University of Miami for the 2025 season, immediately emerging as one of college football’s top signal-callers.
In his lone season with the Hurricanes, he threw for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns, completing 72.4 % of his passes with a 157.0 passer rating.
Beck earned third-team All-ACC honors and led Miami to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where they fell 27‑21 to the Indiana Hoosiers.
Across 55 career games, Beck totaled 11,725 passing yards, 88 touchdowns, and a 69.5 % completion rate.
With five years of college experience under his belt, analysts love the big-bodied (6’4”, 220 lbs) veteran who has seen every kind of pressure situation a Power‑5 schedule can offer, even if he isn’t universally regarded as an elite arm talent.
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Why Arizona Makes Sense for Carson Beck
From a football perspective, the Cardinals and Beck could be a great match.
New head coach Mike LaFleur’s offense works best with quarterbacks who can think quickly, make crisp intermediate throws, and take advantage of play-action, all areas where Beck showed he can excel in college.
Whether Arizona opens 2026 with a veteran stopgap or leans fully into a rebuild, Beck represents bridge potential without overwhelming investment, exactly what a third‑round pick should be.
And with the QB market likely thin after the first two rounds, snagging someone who could realistically compete for starts on Day 2 is a smart value move for Arizona.
If Arizona does pull the trigger, Beck’s rookie year probably wouldn’t be just about learning behind a veteran. He could see meaningful snaps early, especially if the team doesn’t bring in another QB ahead of him.
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