OT Francis Mauigoa to the Cardinals at #3? Not so fast….
Cardinals are the top team tied to the talented tackle
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. #54 and Francis Mauigoa #61 of the Miami Hurricanes look on after a loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images NFL draft prospects are examined in more ways than just on the field production.
Their health and past issues are poked and prodded all the way until draft day. The last thing an NFL club wants to find out later is that they purchased damaged goods. Usually a top-tier guy will need to begin playing in his first season in the league, not years down the road.
For one, the team is paying his salary the entire time he is laid up. For another, they drafted the athlete for a reason. They need him to play, and fill the need.
RELATED: OT FRANCIS MAUIGOA PROFILE The Cardinals own the third overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, slated for April 23-25. Their roster has plenty of needs, although GM Monti Ossenfort had a really good free agent period and filled quite a few needs with seasoned veterans. After last year’s debacle, which ended with 14 losses, Arizona’s brass took a notepad and began jotting down the problem areas.
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