Former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love became a member of the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 3 pick. Love walks onto a team, giving them a player with the potential to be a franchise back.
Arizona finished last season 3-14. Armed with a new head coach, Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals hope that Love meets their expectations. One NFL analyst offered up a quick take regarding the newest Cardinals draftee.
NFL Analyst Pans Arizona Cardinals’ Selection of RB Jeremiyah Love
After an award-winning career, Love heads to the desert. Normally, an infusion of elite college talent would be met with universal praise. However, Danny Parkins, a co-host of “First Things First,” disagreed with the choice.
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
“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.”
In the offseason, the franchise parted ways with quarterback Murray. The star signal-caller who played seven seasons for the Cardinals, earning two Pro Bowl selections. More importantly, in 2021, he led the team to their last playoff appearance.
With a massive contract, Murray did not return to the postseason, losing 23 of his final 39 games as the starter. Currently, veterans Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett appear to be the two battling for the starting job in camp.
The lack of a bookend edge rusher also caused headaches for the ball club, contributing to their inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks effectively and ultimately affecting their overall defensive performance. Last year, the franchise ranked No. 29 in the PFSN NFL Defense Impact Rankings.
While Josh Sweat recorded 12 sacks, he will now see double teams, leaving the defense in a difficult position. A player like Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, now a member of the New York Giants, could have been a solution.
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In a division with two Super Bowl-winning QBs in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold, who will play the Cardinals twice? With Sweat garnering attention, who will step up?
In essence, the Cardinals address the running back problems in the offseason. They signed former Atlanta Falcons rusher Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.5 million contract, presumably to start. Now, the franchise will employ two running backs who will make more than $6 million.
LeFleur from the outset was known for a tough running game, one that he wanted to establish early and rely on. Now, with Love and Allgeier in the backfield, what other pieces will he add to prevent the Cardinals’ fourth ten-loss season in the past five years? Arizona will have six more picks over the next three days to accomplish that mission.
