Full Breakdown
Cardinals Draft Jeremiyah Love at No. 3: A Detailed Look
4/25/2026, 10:42:47 AM
The Selection and Immediate Delay
On night 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals used the third overall pick to select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The pick was nearly delayed because the team could not initially reach the prospect. General Manager Monti Ossenfort later explained that the club was given an incorrect phone number, causing “technical difficulties” before the call was completed and the card submitted.
Background: Draft Process and Cardinals’ Needs
The NFL limited prospect contact information this year after prior prank calls, assigning a single point-of-contact per club. Arizona entered the draft with a 31st-ranked rushing attack in 2025 and a running-back group that already included veteran James Conner, free-agent Tyler Allgeier, and rookie Trey Benson. The offensive line had allowed 59 sacks the prior season, with noted weaknesses at right tackle and center. The team’s most pressing need remained at quarterback, with Jacoby Brissett slated to start while a long-term signal-caller is still to be drafted.
Key Figures: Ossenfort, LaFleur, and Love
- Monti Ossenfort – Cardinals General Manager, responsible for the pick and the phone-number issue.
- Mike LaFleur – First-year head coach, whose offensive scheme emphasizes speed and versatility.
- Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame dual-threat running back, Heisman-finalist, All-American, and Doak Walker Award winner.
Timeline of the Pick
- Early March 2026 – Cardinals publicly express interest in Love.
- April 23, 2026, 5 p.m. MT – Draft clock runs; Cardinals attempt contact, encounter wrong number.
- Minutes later – Correct number obtained, call completed, card submitted.
- April 24, 2026 – Love’s press conference and media interviews.
Data & Statistics
- 2025 season: 1,372 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns, 6.9 yards per carry.
- Career at Notre Dame: 2,497 rushing yards, 35 touchdowns, 517 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns.
- NFL Combine: 4.36-second 40-yard dash.
- Draft context: Highest-selected running back since Saquon Barkley (2nd overall, 2018).
Official Statements & Responses
Ossenfort confirmed the phone-number error and noted that trade discussions were “very minimal” with no offers approaching the value the Cardinals sought. He also emphasized that the club had “a good idea the running back was going to be the pick” early in the week. Love expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing his arrival as “a blessing” and affirming his readiness to work.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts Dan Graziano and Dominique Foxworth questioned the pick’s financial efficiency, noting that the rookie contract for the third overall slot approximates $13 million per year—comparable to top-tier running backs already on the market. Both highlighted the Cardinals’ lack of a strong offensive line and a settled quarterback as factors that could limit Love’s immediate impact.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the incorrect number originated from the NFL’s distribution list or from the Cardinals’ internal point-of-contact. Additionally, while Ossenfort described trade talks as “surface-level,” no specific offers were disclosed, leaving the extent of market interest unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If you want me to tell you the honest-to-God truth, we had the wrong phone number,” — Monti Ossenfort, GM, Arizona Cardinals
- “It was not a surprise to me. I had great dialogue with (Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort) about a week ago,” — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- “I think the reason to be critical of this choice is not because he’s going to be one of the top running backs paid, but the reason to criticize this is because they don’t have a good offensive line. They don’t have a quarterback. Normally, you need these things in order for your running back, for you to get the value out of this pick.” — Dominique Foxworth, ESPN analyst
What’s Next
Arizona’s remaining selections (Nos. 34, 65, 104, 143, 183, 217) will address offensive-line depth and the quarterback position. The organization plans to integrate Love into a three-down role while evaluating line improvements during training camp.
