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As NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called out prospects’ names last week, lives were instantly changed in many ways.
From a financial point of view, it’s a huge salary, especially for first players. And being smart with the millions of dollars guaranteed to these top prospects is preached throughout the league.
One of those players is Jeremiah Love, the No. 3 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals who will be the highest-paid running back in the NFL before he even takes a snap. He gets $53 million fully guaranteed over four years with his draft spot, and the Cardinals can also exercise a fifth-year option.
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Jeremiah Love of Notre Dame celebrates after being selected as the third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
It’s a common question prospects have to answer: What will their first purchase be after the draft? Love, however, had other things on his mind, at least with his NFL game controls he’ll get.
“I’m not spending any of my NFL checks,” Love told BRGridiron. “All this money, my financial advisor is going to take care of all that. I don’t know, it’s not my job. He’s going to be there to make more and more money.”
CARDINALS HAVE TO DELAY DRAFTING JEREMIYAH LOVE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A WRONG PHONE NUMBER
Instead, Love said he would spend his money over the course of his career. Even then, he doesn’t think of a lavish lifestyle for himself.
“The first thing I could buy with my marketing money is a house for my parents and a car for my father,” he said. “Shoot, I’ll put myself last. I’ll take care of my family first.”
Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love arrives in Pittsburgh ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
That’s quite Love’s answer, and after hearing the feelings of coaches and teammates, it’s something he was eager to do.
In the video, BRGridiron asked the same question of other prospects who heard their name called in the first round. Players like Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon were also thinking about his parents, eager to buy them a house, while others, like Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Chicago Bears safety Dillon Thieneman, were thinking about new wheels.
Sure, it’s their money to spend now, but being among the first usually leads to lots of marketing opportunities with big salaries as well.
Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 2026. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Perhaps the prospects can follow in Love’s footsteps in that regard. Either way, with the dream of playing in the NFL comes the dream of potential generational wealth.
These players earned it, and Love makes sure he’s smart with it.
