Full Breakdown
Cardinals Draft Running Back Jeremiyah Love and Guard Chase Bisontis
4/30/2026, 7:04:54 AM
Draft Night Decision
On April 24, 2026, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Mike LaFleur announced the team’s No. 3 overall pick, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, at the Dignity Health training facility in Tempe. The selection surprised analysts who expected a trade. The second-round pick, interior guard Chase Bisontis, was also revealed.
Why It Matters / Impact
The Cardinals entered the draft with the league’s fifth-most sacks allowed (59) and the second-lowest rushing output (93.1 yards per game). Selecting a high-profile back and a potential starting guard directly addresses those deficiencies, aiming to improve protection for a still-unproven quarterback and revive a stagnant ground attack.
Key Figures & Groups
Key decision-makers include GM Monti Ossenfort, who oversaw the draft strategy; head coach Mike LaFleur, who championed Love’s character and fit; ESPN analyst Matt Miller, who ranked Love seventh and Bisontis fifty-third; and the rookie, 21-year-old Love.
Data & Statistics
Love posted 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in 28 games over his final two seasons, runs a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, and measures 6 ft, 214 lb. His rookie contract guarantees just under $53.9 million over four years, the largest for a running back. Bisontis, a 6-foot-5, 315-lb guard, was the third-ranked interior lineman (No. 51 overall).
Official Statements & Responses
Cardinals officials praised Love’s character and immediate fit. LaFleur emphasized the rookie’s maturity, humility and readiness, noting the staff has begun integrating him into the playbook. Ossenfort highlighted the strategic value of securing a top-tier back.
Criticism & Opposition
Analyst Matt Miller warned that Love’s record-setting guaranteed money sets a high performance bar; he must “play like an All-Pro quickly, if not right away” to justify the deal. The contract also raises concerns about asset allocation for a team lacking a proven quarterback.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’ll be honest with you, I was hoping nobody called, and I really didn’t care what the offer was because of how I feel about the guy that we got.” — Mike LaFleur, Head Coach
- “The analyst says he believes the running back will “make an immediate impact in Arizona” and even labels him as the early frontrunner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.” — Matt Miller, ESPN Analyst
- “He will need to play like an All-Pro quickly, if not right away, to justify that number.” — Matt Miller, ESPN Analyst
- “But I still love this pick.” — Matt Miller, ESPN Analyst
What’s Next
Miller projects Bisontis will start at right guard before the season opener, while LaFleur’s staff plans to feature Love prominently from day one. Training camp will test whether Love can meet his contract expectations early in his rookie year.
