Carson Beck headed to Miami with something to prove: that he was back to full strength after elbow surgery and still had the chops to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. According to a new ESPN mock draft, it looks like he made his case convincingly.
In Matt Miller's latest seven-round 2026 mock draft, Beck is projected to be picked by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 65 overall pick, kicking off the third round.
Beck's Day 2 NFL Draft Outlook
Miller predicts Beck's move to Arizona after the Cardinals miss out on Alabama's Ty Simpson in the second round. Alongside Beck, Miller projects the Cardinals to select Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with the No. 3 overall pick, signaling a strategic focus on rebuilding their offensive lineup.
The Cardinals' quarterback situation is in a transitional phase. With Kyler Murray officially released on March 11, Arizona is now relying on Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew to lead the charge. Brissett took over the reins for the last 12 games of 2025 following Murray's early exit from the season.
Rebuilding Stock in Miami
Beck transferred from Georgia, facing the unknowns of post-surgery performance in 2025. By season's end, he had dispelled most doubts, racking up 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns as he led the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff championship game.
At his pro day, Beck expressed gratitude to head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson for their faith in him during a time when he was recovering from surgery and uncertain about his future.
Before his stint with the Hurricanes, Beck was a standout at Georgia, starting his final two seasons and amassing 7,912 yards and 58 touchdowns. His college career, marked by resilience and impressive stats, has kept him on the radar as a quarterback with pro potential worth developing.