Carson Beck

Beck enters a depth chart with Jacoby Brissett as the presumptive 2026 starter and Gardner Minshew also rostered. A likely redshirt year limits his 2026 dynasty relevance, particularly in non-superflex formats where QB value is entirely start-dependent.

Beck is a pure pocket passer who never exceeded 200 rushing yards in any college season. In an era where QB mobility drives weekly fantasy floor and ceiling, his zero rushing contribution caps his weekly output even when he does start.

Beck underwent UCL surgery on his throwing elbow in December 2024 and reported being 100% healthy throughout the 2025 college season at Miami. No current concern, but arm durability warrants monitoring at the NFL level given the history.

CBS Sports issued a 'D' grade for Arizona's Beck selection at pick 65, reflecting analyst skepticism about the cost and fit. If the organization shares that doubt, Beck's path to meaningful reps could be slower than projected.

Beck lands with one of the best supporting casts available for a developmental QB: Trey McBride (top-3 NFL TE, 126 rec/1239 yds/11 TDs in 2025), Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR1 upside), and Jeremiyah Love (No. 3 overall pick RB). This offensive weaponry dramatically lowers the processing burden on a young QB.

Arizona parted ways with Kyler Murray and has no viable long-term starter — Brissett and Minshew are universally acknowledged bridges. Beck is the de facto QB of the Cardinals' future with a realistic path to starting as early as mid-2026 if Brissett's contract standoff escalates.

Jacoby Brissett's contract holdout has extended through all OTAs and into mandatory minicamp, materially accelerating Beck's path — he took first-team-adjacent reps and is increasingly viewed as the primary beneficiary of Brissett's absence.

Beck made 43 collegiate starts across six seasons at Georgia and Miami, including playoff high-pressure environments. His advanced pocket processing and quick pre-snap reads create a faster NFL adjustment curve than most rookie QBs and lower his bust probability.

HC/play-caller Mike LaFleur gave Beck a public 'full thumbs-up' in OTAs, specifically praising his pre-snap operation — a meaningful early signal for a Day 2 rookie.

Young QB (23) — still in value appreciation phase