Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 996 - A week out and the uncertainty remains. The Cardinals could go in a number of different directions with the third overall pick. And which ever direction they choose, they have to get it right. Though it happens, teams selecting that high in the draft “can’t miss” on a prospect, according to Paige Dimakos, the president and CEO of The Draft Network. On Wednesday, she joined Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman to give her thoughts on the 2026 draft class overall, who she likes for the Cardinals at 3, weighs in on the debate between premium and non-premium positions, plus talks Ty Simpson. Yes, the Alabama quarterback was a topic on the day he was reportedly in town on a Top-30 visit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 995 - Currently, the Arizona Cardinals are scheduled to make the third overall selection in next week’s draft. Do they stick and pick? And if so, then who are the most likely targeted prospects? Do they trade down? And if so, then how far down might be too far? All great questions. And all questions Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck attempted to answer with the help of Trevor Sikkema, co-host of the NFL Stock Exchange. Sikkema rejoins the show, adding his thoughts on whether an offensive lineman or edge rusher should be the choice of GM Monti Ossenfort; what offers a higher return on investment, is there a pass-rusher who stands out among the others, and how might the non-premium position players affect the top of the draft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 994 - Day 1 is important. Day 1 is a reset. And for the Arizona Cardinals Day 1 also represented a new beginning. The Mike LaFleur era is officially underway. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss the start of the offseason strength and conditioning program; what were their takeaways listening to Hjalte Froholdt and Zaven Collins speak with reporters. Plus, Craig and Zach explain the reason LaFleur is so focused on the mechanics of the huddle, the chip that likely rests on Nick Rallis’ shoulder, the idea behind better communication improving the overall defense, and with two weeks to go before the draft, is offensive line becoming less of an option at pick 3? Zach updates the Cardinals Mock Draft Tracker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 993 - In a little over two weeks - two weeks from Thursday to be specific - the Arizona Cardinals will be on the clock. So, at pick No. 3, what position should GM Monti Ossenfort target? Does he go offensive line? Is an edge rusher the selection? Or might there be a wildcard? Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss the options Ossenfort may have with that first-round pick, including trading down which he did in his first draft back in 2023. Before that conversation though, Craig and Paul look ahead to the start of the offseason program. Day 1 for the Cardinals is Tuesday. It’s the first chance new head coach Mike LaFleur and his staff will be around the players in a more formal, official capacity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 992 - Happy April Fool’s Day, Bird Gang. That said, neither Craig Grialou nor Dani Sureck are playing the fool on Wednesday’s show. Instead, Craig and Dani continue to react to what Mike LaFleur had to say during his Q&A with reporters at the Annual League Meeting this week; LaFleur likes the experience both Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew bring to the quarterback room, believes Teryl Austin will be “a great asset” for him, Nick Rallis, and the defense overall plus LaFleur is looking forward to having players back in the building next week. Also, Craig and Dani update Paris Johnson Jr.’s rehab, another round of uniform number changes, and because it is April 1st, begin to promote the 2026 Draft Party at State Farm Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 991 - It’s the one topic that’s dominated much of the offseason. Quarterback. Who’s in the room? Who might be in the room? And, yes, who no longer is in the room? Those questions were asked. Those questions were answered by head coach Mike LaFleur over a 30-minute period on Monday morning at the Arizona Biltmore, the site of this year’s Annual League Meeting. Both Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman listened in to what LaFleur had to say about Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew as well as Kyler Murray. Plus, the guys react to what LaFleur had to say about the offense, the offensive line, his coaching staff, Kendrick Bourne, Walter Nolen’s recovery, and the likelihood of joint practices with the Green Bay Packers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 990 – At first glance, he reminds you of Dennis Gardeck, maybe even Pat Tillman (or Kurt Cobain, according to Paul Calvisi.) Watch him play, and yeah, the Gardeck similarities continue. Hear him speak, and you feel like you’re talking to Budda Baker in terms of how he describes his style of play. In other words, new safety Andrew Wingard, before even playing a down of football in a Cardinals uniform, is trending towards being a fan favorite. Recently, Wingard sat down with Calvisi and Craig Grialou to discuss why he chose Arizona after seven seasons in Jacksonville, why going undrafted might’ve been the best thing to happen to him, and why he plays like he plays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 989 - Whether on the field or off the field, and especially off the field, Kendrick Bourne can be counted on to bring one thing: He will bring the energy. Tenfold. “I was born this way” - no pun intended - he recently told Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi. Bourne is among the new additions to the wide receiver room. He speaks with Craig and Paul about the energy he exudes, why relationships are important, his plan to be a mentor to the likes of Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., the special connection he has with head coach Mike LaFleur, and how being an undrafted free agent helped shape him into the player who is going into his 10th season in the league.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 988 - Among the many moves made during free agency almost half of the additions have come along the line of scrimmage, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone based on last season’s results. The two marquee names signed were Isaac Seumalo and Roy Lopez. Both recently sat down with Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi. For Seumalo, it was a chance to get back on the west coast, fill a need at left guard, team with Paris Johnson Jr., and help build a winner in Arizona. Meanwhile, for Lopez, who is about to become a first-time father, it was a chance to return home, fill a much-needed role inside, and reunite with several teammates as well as defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. Enjoy the conversations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 987 - It’s what every player wants. An opportunity. And for running back Tyler Allgeier, he believes he’s got a great opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals. Allgeier sat down with Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi to discuss his decision to leave Atlanta for Arizona; joining a room with James Conner, Trey Benson, Bam Knight and Corey Kiner; working with head coach Mike LaFleur, who he’s watched with admiration from afar; his journey from high school to college - and one season playing linebacker - to the NFL; plus, Paul was not afraid to bring up his zero lost fumbles stat. Before that conversation, however, the guys go over the news of the day: the signing of safety Andrew Wingard and the reported signing of wide receiver Devin Duvernay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 986 - Happy New Year, Bird Gang! And on this the first day of the new league year, there is plenty to talk about; a lot of what has been reported is now official. Yes, that includes the future of Kyler Murray. And that’s where Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman begin the show. Murray has been released, while Gardner Minshew will reportedly sign to join holdovers Jacoby Brissett and Kedon Slovis. Who will be QB1? The guys also discuss what has quickly become a loaded running back room, additions along the line of scrimmage including a new starting guard and a familiar face returning to the defensive line, plus seven rounds equals seven draft picks come April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 985 - Marvin Harrison Jr. Michael Wilson. Trey McBride. Three very capable pass catchers, and in the case of McBride, maybe the best at his position. In other words, it should be a quarterback-friendly offense regardless of who might be under center for the Cardinals in 2026, according to Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus. He joined Craig Grialou, who is flying solo on today’s show, at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week. The two had a really good conversation about Marvin, Michael, and Trey. Also, the guys looked back at the first season of Walter Nolen III, debated pass protect vs. pass rush with the third overall pick, and then Trevor explained the difficulty teams - like the Cardinals - might have finding a trade partner to move in the draft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 984 - Doubling up one more time this week. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck continue to look back at their time in Indianapolis and the 2026 Scouting Combine. It was a busy week which produced a number of great interviews, two of which are featured on today’s show. From ESPN, Dan Graziano and Ben Solak joined Craig and Dani to discuss whether the Cardinals might lean edge rush or offensive line in the first round; they give their thoughts on last year’s draft class which had a handful of players flash and regardless of what happens at quarterback, both agree there is talent on that side of the ball. All this on what is the final Friday of the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 983 - Before the debate, there’s news to discuss. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck talk about the future of Kyler Murray, who announced his departure ahead of reports he’ll be released if not traded by the start of the new league year next week, and react to the announcement the Cardinals will play the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game. Then it’s back to Indianapolis, where Craig and Dani spoke with NFL Network Analysts Charles Davis and Cynthia Frelund; their thoughts on the Scouting Combine, whether O-line or D-line is the best option with the third overall pick, how they feel about new head coach Mike LaFleur, the decision to retain Nick Rallis, and the play of Trey McBride. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 982 - Good to be back in studio. More importantly, good to be back in Arizona. The heat is preferred over the cold for both Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck. And though the two are happy to have returned to familiar surroundings, it does not mean they are done talking about their time in Indianapolis and the 2026 Scouting Combine. Among the many guests Craig and Dani talked to were ESPN NFL Draft Analysts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller. Both like the offensive line depth in the draft - by the way, they each recently mocked Miami OT Francis Mauigoa to the Cardinals - and believe good players can be found despite the lack of star power at the quarterback position.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 981 - Just. Draft. Good. Football. Players. Sounds simple, right? Well, it’s never that easy. On their last day at the 2026 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck are joined by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, the author of ‘The Beast,’ a must-have draft guide for those who enjoy those three days in April. Brugler gives his thoughts on the options - offensive tackle or edge rusher - for the Cardinals with the third overall pick, what positions he sees are the deepest in this year’s draft class, how unlikely it is to expect a lot of trades early on Day 1, and why so many tight ends have been invited to the combine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 980 - Might the 2026 NFL Draft produce a surprise or two? And might that even happen at pick No. 3? Anything is possible, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, including drafting a quarterback. Yeah, he went there when he joined Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck from the 2026 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Yates had a good breakdown of Alabama’s Ty Simpson should Monti Ossenfort have, as Yates said, “strong conviction” to select a quarterback in the first round. There was also discussion on the potential of going offensive line or edge rusher, the depth of the draft class at wide receiver, and speaking of wide receiver, Yates is holding out hope he’s able to convince his expected wife to name their child Michael Wilson Yates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 979 - Edge rusher. Offensive lineman. Those two positions have been the positions most linked to the Cardinals and their No. 3 pick. OK, so who then are the players that may be under consideration when the team is on the clock in April? Good question. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has the answer. He joined Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck from the 2026 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Jeremiah offered his perspective, his insights on the draft class overall plus he gave his thoughts on new head coach Mike LaFleur. Before that conversation, though, Craig and Dani discussed what’s been the buzz so far in Indy, and yes, it revolves around the quarterback position.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 978 - Two new coordinators and one familiar face were officially introduced Wednesday, as head coach Mike LaFleur presented his staff: Nathaniel Hackett (offensive coordinator), Nick Rallis (defensive coordinator), and Michael Ghobrial (special teams coordinator). Hackett and Ghobrial are new to the Cardinals, while Rallis will be entering his fourth season in charge of the defense. All three sounded enthusiastic. All three are eager to get to work. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what they heard from each of the coordinators: Hackett is ready to serve as a sounding board for LaFleur, Rallis is grateful to be able to run it back after some self reflection, and Ghobrial believes “special teams is the purest form of football.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 977 - Kyle Shanahan. Sean McVay. Two of the more influential people in the coaching career of Mike LaFleur. How much of what Shanahan does in San Francisco and McVay in Los Angeles be brought to Arizona? Great question. And we’re really not going to get an answer until games begin. But we can take a guess. That’s exactly what Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman did on Wednesday, when they spoke with Jourdan Rodrigue, Senior NFL writer for The Athletic. Rodrigue rejoins the show to discuss Mike as a person, Mike as a coach, and, maybe more importantly, Mike as a playcaller, especially with likes of Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. on his roster. Just incredible insight and information from a near 30-minute conversation with Jourdan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.