The Arizona Cardinals did not just make a pick at No. 3 overall. They reignited one of the NFL’s most stubborn debates. Former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love came off the board far earlier than many expected, immediately putting the spotlight back on positional value and team-building philosophy.
Arizona is coming off a 3-14 season and enters a new era under head coach Mike LaFleur. After moving on from longtime quarterback Kyler Murray, the franchise is reshaping its identity. Love now steps into that reset as a potential franchise centerpiece, whether the league agrees with the investment or not.
Why the Jeremiyah Love Pick Reignites the “Running Backs Don’t Matter” Debate
The reaction was immediate because the argument has been simmering for years. Spending premium draft capital on a running back runs counter to how many front offices currently operate.
“The discourse for the past 10 years has been running backs don’t matter,” Mellor said on Day 1 of PFSN’s “Football Debate Club” live NFL draft show. “There’s also ‘run the damn ball,’ as the expression that you want to say, depending on which angle of football you like to portray and what you like to believe in. So to me, running backs after their rookie contract don’t quite matter.”
That tension is exactly what Arizona leaned into. Love is not just another back.
He was one of the most productive players in college football last season, ranking No. 4 overall in PFSN’s CFB RB Impact Metrics with an A- grade and a 90.1 score. In 12 games, he piled up 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, adding value as a receiver and open-field weapon.
Still, the criticism grows louder when you look at the roster. The Cardinals already have pieces in place. Trey McBride is coming off a historic year with 126 catches, 1,239 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
Michael Wilson quietly posted a 76.5 WR Impact Score, ranking No. 38 in the league. Marvin Harrison Jr. remains a high-upside option despite an injury-shortened season. Even in the backfield, James Conner and newly signed Tyler Allgeier provide depth.
That context makes the pick feel less like filling a need and more like making a statement.
Why Love Might Be Worth the Gamble for Arizona
Arizona’s counterargument is simple. If you believe a player is elite, you take him. Love’s profile supports that belief.
At 6-foot and 214 pounds, he blends burst and power in a way that shows up immediately on tape. He is a long-strider with breakaway speed but also has the short-area quickness to create missed tackles in tight spaces. His vision and patience allow him to set up blocks, while his balance helps him finish runs through contact.
That combination is what separates him from typical prospects at the position. Love is not just a runner.
He is a playmaker who can impact the passing game and generate yards after the catch. His ability to manipulate defenders and find space gives him a three-down ceiling.
Mellor’s point about contract value still looms over the long-term outlook.
That is where the risk lies. Arizona is betting that Love can deliver immediate impact while on a rookie deal, maximizing value before those long-term questions come into play.
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In the short term, the fit is clear. With Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett competing at quarterback, the Cardinals need a stabilizing force on offense.
Love gives them exactly that. Whether he justifies the No. 3 pick will not be decided overnight, but the debate he reignited is already in full swing.
