The NFL Draft Combine is underway this week in Indianapolis, hosting over 300 prospects showcasing their skills. Among these, the Arizona Cardinals have actively engaged in several meetings, evaluating potential additions for their roster through the Cardinals NFL Draft Combine process.
Notable Prospects Meeting with the Cardinals
One of the early meetings involved Ty Simpson, the quarterback from Alabama, who expressed enthusiasm about joining the Cardinals. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 208 pounds, Simpson revealed after his formal meeting that he would love to be a Cardinal. Last season, Simpson played in 15 games, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards along with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also contributed 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Besides Arizona, Simpson has met with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Jets.
Sawyer Robertson, a quarterback from Baylor, has also participated in multiple informal meetings with the Cardinals. Robertson is 6-foot-3 and weighs 221 pounds. In his third season at Baylor, he led the Big 12 Conference with 3,681 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, completing 60.3% of his attempts. He added three rushing touchdowns on 56 carries. Along with the Cardinals, Robertson has conducted interviews with teams such as the Jets, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers.
Edge rusher Arvell Reese from Ohio State met with the Cardinals early in the week. At 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, Reese displayed versatility as both an inside linebacker and edge rusher. Last season, he tallied 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Reese impressed with his athleticism during the combine, posting a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a 1.58-second 10-yard split.
Sheeeeeesh.@OhioStateFB LB Arvell Reese with a 4.47u
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/j74Yd3XQCw
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2026
Rueben Bain Jr., an edge rusher from Miami, also had a formal meeting with the Cardinals. Weighing 263 pounds and standing 6-foot-2, Bain is coming off a season in which he accumulated 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss across 16 games, helping lead Miami to the national championship game. Other teams Bain met with include the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans. A key consideration for Bain at the next level is how his arm length, measuring just under 31 inches, will affect his transition.
David Bailey, an edge rusher from Texas Tech, took part in a formal interview with the Cardinals as well. The 6-foot-4, 251-pound rusher also met with the Kansas City Chiefs, Bengals, Jets, and Titans. Bailey led the FBS with 14.5 sacks and topped the Big 12 with 19.5 tackles for loss last season. His combine performance included the second-fastest 40-yard dash time among edge rushers at 4.50 seconds. He also ranked third in broad jump distance with 10 feet, nine inches.
Linebacker Josiah Trotter from Missouri confirmed a formal meeting with Arizona and 17 other teams. In his only season at Missouri, Trotter recorded 84 tackles, including 13 for loss, and two sacks over 12 games. The 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker carries a notable football lineage, being the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and brother of current Philadelphia linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke also held scheduled formal interviews with the Cardinals, along with the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts. Burke, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 315 pounds, appeared in 11 games for Memphis last season.
Significance of These Meetings for the Cardinals
The meetings at the Cardinals NFL Draft Combine highlight Arizona’s focused efforts to evaluate talent across multiple key positions, including quarterback, edge rusher, linebacker, and offensive tackle. Prospects like Ty Simpson and Sawyer Robertson signal the team’s attention toward potential quarterback options, while enhanced athletic performers such as Arvell Reese and David Bailey offer dynamic possibilities to bolster the defensive front.
Linebacker Josiah Trotter brings both on-field production and a family history rooted in professional football, which may provide intangible benefits. Travis Burke’s size and recent game experience at offensive tackle reflect the Cardinals’ interest in strengthening their blocking schemes.
As the combine progresses, these initial meetings form the groundwork for more in-depth evaluations, which will shape the Cardinals’ strategy and selections on draft day. The organization’s thorough engagement with a varied group of prospects demonstrates its commitment to building a competitive and well-rounded roster for future seasons.
Sheeeeeesh.@OhioStateFB LB Arvell Reese with a 4.47u
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/j74Yd3XQCw— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2026
Sources: Memphis OT Travis Burke has formal interviews scheduled at the NFL Combine with the following teams:
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Arizona Cardinals
• Indianapolis ColtsStarted 11 games in 2025 for the Tigers at RT.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 25, 2026
