The Arizona Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick and seven total selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the expectation has been to build in the trenches or draft a defensive back, recent talks suggest the team might favor drafting Jeremiyah Love as its prime target with the first pick.
Notre Dame Running Back Jeremiyah Love Emerges As a Real Option for the Cardinals at No. 3
According to SI’s Albert Breer, Love is firmly in the mix for Arizona’s top pick.
“I have heard another name there, and I think this is an interesting one. So, Reese is one name. Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame running back, is another one that I would say is very much under consideration for this pick.”
Breer explained his suggestion further by adding, “I think for ownership, this is obviously a guy who can create some sizzle for you. I also think for Monti Ossenfort, this is one he’s got to get right. And taking Jeremiyah Love, despite the position, is parking one in the middle of the fairway. You’ve got a good idea of what he’s going to be as an NFL player.
“You don’t have to create a role for him. You know where he’s going to be. And so I would say either Love or Reese goes three to the Cardinals.”
Love is being viewed as a safe, high-impact projection, even at a position teams have traditionally devalued early. From a production standpoint, he presents a strong case. Love is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 rushing yards and a combined 40 total touchdowns.
He finished as the No. 4 overall-ranked RB in college football last season, nationally, according to the PFSN’s CFB Running Back Impact metrics.
He brings verified speed with a 4.36 40-yard dash and pairs it with a 6-foot, 214-pound frame that allows him to run through contact.
Then, there’s the eye test, the tape to show that production goes way beyond just being mere numbers.
In a dominant win over Syracuse, he rushed for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 8 carries. Against USC, he posted 228 yards on 24 carries, consistently flipping field position and dictating defensive structure.
PFSN’s scouting report places him firmly in the elite tier of this class. He is viewed as a true RB1 with All-Pro upside, combining short-area burst, long-speed explosiveness, and advanced vision. His ability to manipulate space and accelerate through lanes makes him a scheme-proof runner, while his receiving production adds another layer to his profile.
The Cardinals have invested in the position, retaining James Conner after a contract restructure and adding Tyler Allgeier in free agency.
However, the offense still lacks a game-breaking presence in a system that leans on zone concepts and spacing, especially after last season, when the Cardinals’ offense ranked No. 22 overall on the PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact.
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General manager Monti Ossenfort has shown a willingness to prioritize the best player available over positional value. Love offers a cleaner projection with less guesswork than other top prospects.
Alternatives remain firmly in play. Names like Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Ohio State linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese address premium positions and long-term roster balance. If Arizona believes Love’s upside outweighs the positional debate, selecting him would be a significant curveball in the 2026 draft.
