NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The Arizona Cardinals opted for a true playmaker on offense, selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Many believed before the first round Thursday night that Arizona was an ideal candidate for a trade because teams could have paid a premium to land Love or someone else they coveted.
It looked like that as the clock got closer to zero, but the Cardinals ended up making their pick, landing the consensus best running back in this 2026 class.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
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 on April 23, 2026. (Émilee 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 he gets a speedy Love, who ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The tape also speaks for itself, with Love exhibiting explosive physical traits as well as strength in the trenches.
2026 NFL DRAFT ODDS: DAVID BAILEY RETURNS AS NO. 2CHOICE, JEREMIYAH LOVE TO GIANTS
Love also joins a veteran in James Conner, and Tyler Allgeier signed with the Cardinals this offseason. But Love has the talent to stand out from the rest, and many believe he was the best player in this draft.
Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love arrives in Pittsburgh ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Love ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season for the Fighting Irish, while passing 100 yards in six of his 14 performances. He even rushed for 228 yards against the USC Trojans.
Since the Cardinals didn’t have a single 100-yard rusher last season, they are picking someone who can give some juice to the new-look offense.
It’s also a new look with Kyler Murray out after leaving for the Minnesota Vikings following his release from Arizona.
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 on April 23, 2026. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
The Cardinals, at least for now, head into the 2026 season with Jacoby Brissett, the veteran journeyman who took over for the injured Murray last year, as their starting quarterback.
