The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a decision that drew scrutiny given the team's other roster needs under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. While the offensive line was considered a priority for the offensive-minded coach, the Cardinals opted for the best-player-available approach at a position often viewed as a luxury early in the draft.
Through Week 7, Love has appeared in five games and played 34.4% of offensive snaps. He has recorded 67 carries for 245 yards (3.7 yards per carry) with one rushing touchdown, along with 11 receptions for 36 yards and one receiving touchdown. A high ankle sprain has forced him to miss time, and free-agent acquisition Tyler Allgeier has absorbed a portion of the backfield workload.
At 6 feet and 212 pounds, Love runs upright with patience, allowing blocks to develop before hitting the hole. He shows good vision and possesses the skill set to remain on the field for all three downs. In pass protection, he stands tall and delivers initial contact but inconsistently sustains blocks and occasionally leaks into routes prematurely.
Among running backs with at least 50 carries, Love ranks last in tackle avoidance rate at 6.0%, according to TruMedia. The Cardinals enter their bye week at 2-5, a record that amplifies questions about the opportunity cost of investing a top-three selection at running back.
Contract value and alternative scenarios
Love's rookie contract carries the fourth-highest value among running backs and includes the largest guarantee at the position. By comparison, wide receiver Carnell Tate, selected one pick later, holds a contract ranked 10th among receivers and second on his own team. Had Arizona chosen the highest-drafted offensive tackle, Spencer Fano, or linebacker Arvell Reese, those contracts would have represented greater positional value and arguably more immediate on-field impact.
The situation mirrors the Las Vegas Raiders' selection of Ashton Jeanty sixth overall in 2025, after which the team regressed. The analysis suggests a running back functions as a finishing touch on an offense that already features a sound offensive line and a quarterback capable of threatening defenses downfield, preventing opponents from stacking the box.
Long-term outlook
Love may not develop into an elite back, but he projects as a key contributor throughout his rookie contract. As a prospect, he resembled a more patient version of Travis Etienne, though his ceiling remains uncapped until the Cardinals adequately address the offensive line. League-wide trends show increased willingness to extend running backs beyond their rookie deals, with backs playing effectively into their late 20s and early 30s, eroding the traditional longevity argument. As the run game grows more prominent across the NFL, the positional value of running backs is expected to rise.
