Full Breakdown
Arizona Cardinals Select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love No. 3 Overall
4/25/2026, 5:15:59 AM
The Historic Selection
On April 23, 2026, the Arizona Cardinals used the third overall pick of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh to select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The pick made Love the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley’s No. 2 selection in 2018 and the earliest RB taken in the draft since that year. He became the 24th running back selected in the top three picks since the modern draft era began in 1967.
Background & Context
Arizona entered the draft after a 3-14 season in which it ranked 31st in rushing yards per game (93.1) and 27th in explosive-rush rate. The Cardinals’ backfield already featured veteran James Conner, recent free-agent signing Tyler Allgeier, and younger players Trey Benson and Bam Knight. New head coach Mike LaFleur and fourth-year general manager Monti Ossenfort faced pressure to address a stagnant offense while also filling gaps at quarterback, offensive line, and defense.
Key Figures & Groups
- Jeremiyah Love – 20-year-old, 6 ft 212 lb Notre Dame RB.
- Mike LaFleur – First-year head coach, former Rams offensive coordinator.
- Monti Ossenfort – General manager, responsible for the draft strategy.
- James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson – Existing running backs on the roster.
- Jacoby Brissett – Veteran quarterback slated to start the 2026 season.
Data & Statistics
Love’s senior season produced 1,372 rushing yards on 199 carries (6.9 yd/carry) with 18 rushing touchdowns, plus 27 receptions for 280 yards and three receiving scores. Career totals listed by sources vary between 2,882 yards/36 touchdowns and 1,652 yards from scrimmage/21 touchdowns. He finished third in Heisman voting, earned unanimous All-American honors, and won the Doak Walker Award. The rookie contract is reported as either a four-year, $50.5 million deal (average $12.5 million per year) or a $53.9 million agreement (average $13.47 million), both cited as the most guaranteed money ever for a running back.
Why It Matters
The selection gives Arizona a potential game-changing playmaker at a position traditionally de-valued in the first round. If Love can translate his elite contact balance and breakaway speed, he could lift a ground game that ranked near the bottom of the league. Conversely, the sizable contract limits salary-cap flexibility and raises the stakes for a team lacking a clear long-term quarterback.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach LaFleur described Love as a “complete package” with no discernible weaknesses, emphasizing his ability to contribute as a runner, receiver, and pass-protector. Ossenfort said the organization’s goal was to add an impact player and that trade discussions remained “surface-level.” Love reiterated his readiness to work, noting the Spider-Man quote about responsibility and emphasizing a focus on team culture rather than draft hype.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts such as Matt Johnson (Arizona Sports) and Dan Graziano (ESPN) labeled the pick “questionable” or “terrible” because of the Cardinals’ positional needs, the crowded backfield, and the financial risk of a high-priced RB. Several commentators warned that top-five running-back selections have historically yielded limited returns for rebuilding teams.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Contract value: $50.5 million vs. $53.9 million vs. $53 million.
- College production: 1,372 yards/18 TDs vs. 21 total touchdowns vs. 2,882 career yards/36 TDs.
- Draft-day delay: Ossenfort attributed it to a “wrong phone number,” while some media speculated trade negotiations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As Spider-Man says — ‘With great power, comes great responsibility,’” — Jeremiyah Love.
- “You’re getting everything you want, baby. I’m the complete package.” — Jeremiyah Love.
- “The goal is to add an impact player,” — Monti Ossenfort, GM, Arizona Cardinals.
- “They had the wrong phone number.” — Monti Ossenfort.
- “I had great dialogue with (Cardinals General Manager) Monti (Ossenfort) a few weeks ago.” — Jeremiyah Love.
What’s Next
Arizona holds the 34th overall pick in the second round, with most analysts projecting a quarterback or offensive-line prospect to address lingering roster holes. Love will report to rookie minicamp in May, where his pass-blocking and route-running will be evaluated alongside the existing backfield. The Cardinals’ success this season will hinge on how quickly Love adapts to the NFL and whether the team can secure a stable quarterback to maximize his offensive versatility.
