The Arizona Cardinals became the next team to address the quarterback position in the 2026 NFL Draft when they used the first pick of the third round Friday on Miami’s Carson Beck.
Beck was the third quarterback taken in this draft and the first on Day 2. No signal-caller was selected between Ty Simpson to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 13 overall and Beck at No. 65.
Beck, 23, transferred to Miami last year after playing parts of five seasons for Georgia. He guided the Hurricanes to the national championship game, which they lost to Indiana and QB Fernando Mendoza — the No. 1 overall pick Thursday by the Las Vegas Raiders.
In 55 career games at the college level, Beck threw for 11,725 yards and 88 touchdowns with 32 interceptions, including a career-best 30 TDs in 2025.
Beck could have an early opportunity to start for Arizona, which released Kyler Murray in March. Jacoby Brissett, who went 1-11 as the Cardinals’ starter in 2025, is holding out for a contract extension. The team also has journeyman Gardner Minshew II and reserve Kedon Slovis.
Other quarterbacks waiting to hear their name called on Day 2 include LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State’s Drew Allar and Arkansas’ Taylen Green, among others.
