The Arizona Cardinals are evaluating their options for selecting a quarterback in the later rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft, as discussed on April 13. The team is considering this move due to a perceived lack of depth and standout talent in this year’s quarterback class.
This topic is significant because finding a successful quarterback outside the early rounds remains rare but potentially rewarding, as shown by past examples like Brock Purdy and Tom Brady. Both were drafted late and achieved considerable success, underscoring that while it is possible to find quality quarterbacks later in the draft, it does not happen often.
Cardinals offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said during spring NFL owners meetings, “The quarterback position is the most important position in all of sports. We know that.” In this year’s draft, after top prospects Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, other names such as Carson Beck from Miami, Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, and Drew Allar from Penn State are being considered as potential third-round or later picks.
Since moving to Arizona in 1988, the Cardinals have selected quarterbacks in the third round or later ten times. Notable selections include Tom Tupa (1988), Stoney Case (1995), Josh McCown (2002), Logan Thomas (2014), John Skelton (2010), Clayton Tune (2023), Ryan Lindley (2012), Chris Greisen (1999), and John Navarre (2004). Some of these players had starting opportunities with varying degrees of success. The team has also seen contributions from veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew who were themselves late-round picks elsewhere.
LaFleur said about their ongoing search for quarterbacks: “The Cardinals aren’t going to stop tinkering with their quarterback room until we know we have the most perfect room possible.”
The Arizona Cardinals captured an NFC championship in 2008 according to the official website. The team hosts home games in Glendale, Arizona according to the official website and serves the greater Phoenix area according to its official website. The franchise stands as the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in the United States according to its official website, competing as a member of the NFC West division according to its official website.
Looking ahead, if no promising option emerges this year, observers note that next year’s draft class may offer more possibilities at quarterback for teams like Arizona.
