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The Arizona Cardinals selected a true playmaker on offense, selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Many believed, heading into Thursday night’s first round, that Arizona was a perfect trade candidate because teams could have paid a premium to get Love or someone else they coveted.
It seemed that way as the clock neared zero, but the Cardinals ended up making their choice, landing the consensus top running back in this class of 2026.
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Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame celebrates after being selected with the third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Love became the highest-drafted running back since the New York Giants selected Saquon Barkley second overall out of Penn State in 2018. And he joins a Cardinals offense that will be revamped under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
It’s a West Coast-style offense for LaFleur, and it features the speedy Love, who ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The film also speaks for itself, with Love displaying explosive physical traits as well as strength in the trenches.
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Love also joins a veteran in James Conner, and Tyler Allgeier signed with the Cardinals this offseason. But Love has the talent to set himself apart from the rest, and many believe he was the best overall player in this draft.
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame arrives in Pittsburgh ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season for the Fighting Irish, while surpassing 100 yards in six of his 14 appearances. He even rushed for 228 yards against the USC Trojans.
Since the Cardinals didn’t have a single 100-yard rusher last season, they’re going to draft someone who can energize the new offense.
It’s also a new look with Kyler Murray out after he left for the Minnesota Vikings following his release from Arizona.
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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The Cardinals, at least for now, head into the 2026 season with Jacoby Brissett, the veteran journeyman who replaced the injured Murray last year, as their starting quarterback.
