The NFL Top 100 list is starting to look a lot like the Cardinals’ 2026 schedule.
With the latest reveal of players No. 40 through No. 31, Arizona now knows it will see nine of those 10 names next season. The only exception is Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse, who is not a Cardinals opponent in 2026 - though he did face Arizona twice last season while with the Rams.
That’s the bigger picture for the Cardinals as this ranking rolls out: they’re going to run into a ton of elite talent. Of the 70 players unveiled so far, Arizona will match up with 36 of them.
The Cardinals still haven’t learned where tight end Trey McBride lands in the rankings, but two teammates have already shown up. Outside linebacker Josh Sweat checked in at No. 78, and safety Budda Baker came in at No. 75.
Last week’s No. 40-31 group adds another heavy dose of familiar faces for Arizona. The list includes 49ers tackle Trent Williams at No.
40, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert at No. 39, Eagles corner Cooper DeJean at No.
38, Lions tackle Penei Sewell at No. 37, Cowboys receiver George Pickens at No.
36, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley at No. 34, Lions quarterback Jared Goff at No.
33, Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto at No. 32 and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott at No. 31.
Here is where the Cardinals’ opponents have shown up so far in the NFL Top 100:
No. 100 Saints DE Cameron Jordan
No. 97 Seahawks LB Ernest Jones
No. 96 Saints RB Travis Etienne
No. 95 Jets LB Demario Davis
No. 94 Chiefs C Creed Humphrey
No. 89 Rams RB Kyren Williams
No. 88 Lions LB Jack Campbell
No. 86 Chargers LB Tuli Tuipulotu
No. 85 49ers QB Brock Purdy
No. 84 Rams OLB Byron Young
No. 81 Commanders LB Bobby Wagner
No. 79 Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
No. 73 Broncos DL Zach Allen
No. 68 Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
No. 64 Saints WR Chris Olave
No. 60 Raiders TE Brock Bowers
No. 59 Broncos QB Bo Nix
No. 56 Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
No. 55 Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb
No. 54 49ers LB Fred Warner
No. 53 Rams WR Davante Adams
No. 50 Chargers S Derwin James
No. 47 Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell
No. 46 49ers TE George Kittle
No. 45 Eagles LB Zack Baun
No. 43 Chiefs DT Chris Jones
No. 42 Broncos OT Garett Bolles
No. 40 49ers OT Trent Williams
No. 39 Chargers QB Justin Herbert
No. 38 Eagles CB Cooper DeJean
No. 37 Lions OT Penei Sewell
No. 36 Cowboys WR George Pickens
No. 34 Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
No. 33 Lions QB Jared Goff
No. 32 Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto
No. 31 Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
In Other News...
Michael Wilson Just Sent A Clear Message About Cardinals Plans
The Cardinals have spent plenty of time sorting out their future at wide receiver, and Michael Wilson has now given them another reason to feel good about the direction of that room. With general manager Monti Ossenfort already making it clear he wants Wilson around long-term, the receivers stance adds some clarity to an offense that is still shaping its core pieces for the seasons ahead.
For Arizona, that kind of alignment matters as much as any offseason move. Wilson has the look of a player the team wants to build with, not just around, and his message fits the broader picture of a front office trying to lock in reliable young talent before it becomes a bigger conversation later on. [Read more 🡒]
Carson Beck Is Creating Real Pressure On Arizonas QB Situation
Carson Beck has done enough early in camp to make Arizonas quarterback picture worth watching a little more closely. The rookie followed up a strong Hall of Fame Game showing with steady work in practice, and for a team that has already committed to Jacoby Brissett in the short term, that kind of efficiency from a young passer is exactly the sort of thing that can start conversations in the building.
Brissett is still the expected starter after signing his reworked deal in late July, but the margin around him can tighten quickly when a rookie keeps stacking good reps. He had a rough day on deep throws in a recent practice before working to clean it up afterward, and if Beck keeps pushing with the same composure and production, the Cardinals may have a real competition developing whether they planned for one or not. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Quarterback Battle Suddenly Feels Less Settled Than Expected
Arizonas quarterback picture was supposed to be pretty straightforward entering training camp, with Monti Ossenfort publicly backing Jacoby Brissett as the veteran answer. The general manager pointed to Brissetts NFL experience and the leadership he brings to the locker room, the kind of endorsement that usually settles at least the early part of a competition before the pads really start popping.
Carson Beck, though, has made things a little less tidy than expected. His showing in the Hall of Fame Game turned heads, and he has kept that momentum going in recent practices, enough to keep the battle active rather than academic. Early in camp, the Cardinals still have time to sort it out, but the gap between the presumed starter and the challenger looks a little narrower than it did a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]