Carson Beck's Round 3 Selection Gets a Brutal 'D' Grade and Cardinals Fans Should Be Furious

The Arizona Cardinals made a head-scratching move in Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and one major evaluator is not holding back. Mike Renner gave Carson Beck, the Miami quarterback taken 65th overall, a failing grade, calling the pick "a relative slap in the face to Cardinals fans."

Here's the problem: Beck is a 24-year-old with limited tools, and the Cardinals just invested their offseason in rebuilding the quarterback position. Now they have to compete in a division with established starters like Sam Darnold. As Renner pointed out, it feels like they're reaching for a project QB when they should be waiting for a better class in 2027.

The Rest of Round 3 Was Loaded With Stars

While the Cardinals whiffed, other teams made moves that graded out significantly better. The Raiders nabbed Keyron Crawford, an Auburn edge rusher, and earned an A for landing a twitchy mover with impressive developmental pass-rushing tools who should contribute immediately on third down. The 49ers addressed a massive need, selecting Romello Height from Texas Tech after finishing last season with the fewest sacks in the NFL. Height grades out as an A as a polished, NFL-ready pass-rusher with refined moves, though at 239 pounds he's a pass-rush specialist only.

The Commanders landed the round's only A+ grade with Antonio Williams, a Clemson receiver who's an NFL-ready route-runner. His reliability is elite, and while he was a slot guy in college, the tape shows he can handle more versatility at the next level. The Bears also made a power move, taking Sam Roush, a Stanford tight end who grades as an A for his elite blocking ability and the way he can hold his own against NFL defensive ends at nearly 270 pounds.

Mixed Results Across the Board

The Eagles continued their philosophy of building an imposing offensive line by taking Miami's Markel Bell, the tallest tackle in the draft at over 6-foot-9 and nearly 350 pounds. He grades out as a B+ for his elite athleticism for his size and developmental upside. Meanwhile, the Broncos added Texas A&M's Tyler Onyedim, a long, explosive defensive tackle who earned a B-, though his lack of pure pass-rushing ability is a concern.

Meanwhile, Washington CB Tacario Davis, taken by the Bengals, shows length and route-shutting ability but graded as a B- due to inconsistency on tape.

The Cardinals have work to do convincing their fanbase that Beck is the answer. Everything else in this round screams they should've waited.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.