The Arizona Cardinals are getting a playmaker. They’re going against positional value and bringing home the most dynamic offensive weapon in the draft with Jeremiyah Love at No. 3. There was plenty of noise about a potential trade out of pick No. 3, but the Cardinals stuck it out and brought in their guy.
Jeremiyah Love Headed to Arizona
The Cardinals had a revolving door of running backs in the 2025 season after James Conner went down with an injury. Instead of trusting in them again, they wanted to bring in the dangerous RB from Notre Dame. Picking him at No. 3 is high for a running back, and not many on social media are loving the Love selection.
“Holy sh*t, man, that is such an awful pick, it’s not even funny,” said one social media personality.
Holy shit man that is such an awful pick it’s not even funny. https://t.co/1ruSRj0rCl
— biev🦫 (@shadybiev) April 24, 2026
Love is getting a huge payday for being one of the top selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s going to get over $50 million on his first NFL contract, an unheard-of sum among rookie running backs. It wasn’t all doom and gloom on social media about this selection.
“Heard today the Cardinals coaches loved Love. Great pick for a team that lacks an offensive identity. Now they gotta figure out the QB,” said NFL draft analyst Matt Miller.
Heard today the Cardinals coaches loved Love. Great pick for a team that lacks an offensive identity.
Now they gotta figure out the QB.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 24, 2026
Love was dominant over the last two seasons. He had 2,496 rushing yards and 35 rushing TDs in the last two seasons with the Fighting Irish. He became the only Doak Walker Award winner (best collegiate RB) in Notre Dame history and will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. According to PFSN’s CFB RB Impact Metric, Love had an impact score of 92.4, ranking fourth at his position last season in college football.
PFSN’s Ian Cummings, Jacob Infante, and Cam Mellor are grading all the first-round picks on YouTube. Take a look at what they had to say about Love to Arizona.
“I think a lot of NFL teams are taking advantage of running the ball more, so to have a player like Jeremiyah Love, who’s so well-rounded, who has that breakaway speed, who has that toughness, I think that’s a difference maker. I mean, that Arizona offense isn’t going to be amazing partially because of who’s at quarterback, but I think Love is definitely an impact player for that offense and an upgrade at running back for sure,” said Infante.
PFSN’s draft grade for the selection was an A because of where he falls on the big board. Whether the value was there, the Cardinals got one of the best playmakers in the draft.
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Cummings wasn’t as open to the idea of the Cardinals picking Love as Infante was.
“I can’t get behind this type of roster building, and I worry that it’s going to run this team to the ground again,” said Cummings.
Cummings is part of the large majority of personalities on social media who aren’t rocking the idea of spending the No. 3 pick on a running back.
“Maybe this take will age like milk because he’s an awesome player but I really think it’s crazy for a team with this many holes to take a running back with the 3rd overall pick,” said FS1’s Danny Parkins.
Maybe this take will age like milk because he’s an awesome player but I really think it’s crazy for a team with this many holes to take a running back with the 3rd overall pick.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) April 24, 2026
It will be a waiting game to see what Love can do for this Cardinals offense. It’s going to be quite the anticipation as the Cardinals need to fill a lot of holes, including quarterback. Until then, Arizona will be doing everything it can to surround its team with key contributors.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
