Arizona Cardinals Select Jeremiah Love in NFL Draft
The Arizona Cardinals made a noteworthy addition to their offense by choosing Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love as the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Heading into Thursday night’s first round, there was a general belief that Arizona could trade down. Many speculated they might have overpaid to draft Love or another high-value player.
As the countdown neared its conclusion, it seemed like a trade was imminent. Surprisingly, the Cardinals opted to make their pick and secured the consensus best running back in this draft class.
Love’s selection marks the highest a running back has been drafted since the New York Giants picked Saquon Barkley second overall from Penn State in 2018. He will be joining a revamped Cardinals offense, helmed by new head coach Mike LaFleur.
LaFleur’s offense leans toward a West Coast style, which suits Love well. He showcased impressive speed, clocking a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His game tape highlights explosive abilities and notable strength, particularly in challenging situations.
In addition to Love, the Cardinals recently added veteran players like James Conner and Tyler Allgaier. However, many analysts believe Love possesses unique talents that may set him apart as the most valuable player in this draft.
During his last season at Notre Dame, Love rushed for 1,372 yards, scoring 18 touchdowns and exceeding 100 yards in six of 14 games. He notably rushed for an astounding 228 yards against the USC Trojans.
Considering the Cardinals hadn’t had a single 100-yard rusher last season, bringing in Love could really inject some energy into their rookie offense.
Additionally, the situation has shifted with Kyler Murray now playing for the Minnesota Vikings after being released from Arizona, leaving the team with a refreshed look.
As it stands, the Cardinals will go into the 2026 season with Jacoby Brissett, a seasoned backup who filled in for the injured Murray last year, as their starting quarterback, at least for the moment.
