With the NFL draft a couple of days away, teams begin to jockey for position. While the draft order took shape at the end of the Super Bowl, franchises orchestrated moves to change both the order and their rosters. As the presumed top-pick centers around the Las Vegas Raiders and Fernando Mendoza, the rest of the selection remains a mystery. One team could flip the draft sideways with a bold move.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter Discusses Cardinals Eyeing Jeremiyah Love
With a complete cleaning of the coaching staff and the quarterback position, the Cardinals begin the Mike LaFleur era with holes to fill. In losing at least 13 games in three of the last four seasons, the draft gives the team a chance to rebuild. Plus, being stuck in arguably the NFL’s toughest division could provide the impetus to select Love. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter makes the case.
“Even though he will not go No. 1, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is considered by many to be the best player in this class and could become the first running back drafted in the top five picks since the Giants selected Saquon Barkley No. 2 in 2018,” Schefter wrote.
Running backs do not find themselves at the top of the draft much anymore. Whether it’s a reliance on multi-back schemes or spending less on the position, late in the first round seems like the ceiling.
Schefter mentioned Barkley, who, in his eight seasons, has averaged roughly 1,376 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns a season. During his tenure in South Bend, Love recorded 3,476 total yards and 42 combined touchdowns in 41 games.
Last season, the Cardinals ranked No. 31 in the league with 1,583 rushing yards, and according to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, had the 22nd-ranked offense.
On top of that, LaFleur prefers an efficient, productive rushing offense, which the scheme is built around. Not only could Love possibly fulfill that role, but he also factors in the passing game, as his 63 catches for 594 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns attest.
While the Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick, Schefter believes the franchise could veer in multiple directions with it.
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“There is growing chatter in league circles that Love is truly in play at the high end of that range with Arizona,” Schefter added. “Ideally, the Cardinals would like to find a team willing to trade up so they can acquire more picks, and there have already been “exploratory” calls. But if the Cardinals hold on to their pick, some around the league believe they could pull an early draft surprise and select Love in a slot slightly higher than he has been projected to go.”
Keeping the pick means that Love becomes a prime option. As mentioned, the Raiders are expected to select Mendoza, who is already reading their playbook. The New York Jets own the second pick and will either draft Arvell Reese or David Bailey with the second overall pick.
Subsequently, landing Love at No. 3 becomes an option. Yet, the signing of former Atlanta Falcons rusher Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.25 million deal in free agency could shift their thinking.
The Cardinals hold a valuable draft piece. Whether they trade it or keep it, adding Love could become one of the bigger stars of the draft.
