The Cardinals Shocked the NFL -- But Did They Get It Right?
In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL Draft community and ignited passionate debate from the desert to South Bend, the Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Let that sink in for a moment. A running back at No. 3 overall.
The last time a ball-carrier went this high was Saquon Barkley, who was selected No. 2 overall by the New York Giants in 2018. Before that, it was Trent Richardson at No. 3 in 2012 -- a pick that, in hindsight, serves as a cautionary tale about drafting running backs in the premium real estate of the top five. But the Cardinals aren't looking in the rearview mirror. They are betting that Jeremiyah Love is a generational talent, a game-changer who can transform an offense and alter the trajectory of a franchise.
And according to General Manager Monti Ossenfort, who made the call, this wasn't a reach. It was the culmination of months of scouting, analytics, and a conviction that Love is simply a different kind of player.
"We feel strongly that Jeremiyah is not just the best player in this draft at his position, but one of the premier talents to enter the NFL in years," Ossenfort said during the post-pick press conference. "He checks every box for us -- character, production, athleticism, and the intangible factors that are hard to quantify."
Who Is Jeremiyah Love?
For those who haven't tracked the college game closely, let's paint the picture.
Jeremiyah Love, a junior out of Notre Dame, is a 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back who combines rare speed for his size with punishing power and an almost supernatural ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces. He declared for the draft after a dominant 2025 season in which he rushed for 1,647 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also adding 42 receptions for 487 yards and four more scores as a receiver out of the backfield.
He is not merely a runner. He is a weapon.
Love's tape is electric. He runs with a low pad level, breaks arm tackles routinely, and possesses a second gear that allows him to pull away from defensive backs in the open field. Scouts have compared his running style to a blend of Jonathan Taylor's physicality and Alvin Kamara's elusiveness -- which is about as high a compliment as a prospect can receive.
In the lead-up to the draft, Love was widely considered the top running back prospect and a top-10 talent overall. But consensus mock drafts had him going somewhere between picks 6 and 12, often to the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, or Denver Broncos. Few, if any, national analysts predicted he would go third overall.
Why the Cardinals Did It
The conventional wisdom in the pre-draft process suggested the Cardinals would either take a premium pass-rusher or, potentially, trade down to accumulate picks and take a cornerback or wide receiver. Arizona had pressing needs on defense, particularly after a 2025 season where the team finished 26th in total defense and generated only 32 sacks.
So why take a running back at No. 3?
The answer lies in the Cardinals' offensive identity under head coach Mike LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. LaFleur, in his first year as head coach, brings an offense-first mentality that values a balanced attack with dynamic playmakers. Hackett's experience orchestrating complex zone running schemes and play-action passing meshes well with a player like Love, who can excel in multiple facets of the offense.
Over the past two seasons, Arizona's ground game has been effective but lacked a truly dynamic, every-down back who can change a game on his own.
James Conner, who will turn 31 this season, has been a warrior for this team, but the Cardinals recognize his window is closing. Behind him, the depth chart was uninspiring. The front office saw Love as the missing piece -- a player capable of carrying the load 20-plus times per game, creating explosive plays, and taking pressure off quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
In a division that features explosive offenses like the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals know they need to score points in bunches. Love gives them that capability.
Ossenfort also made it clear that the team considered and ultimately passed on multiple trade offers to move down.
"We had significant interest from teams looking to come up," Ossenfort confirmed. "But when it came down to it, we had Jeremiyah as a top-three player on our board. You don't pass on that kind of player for extra picks. You take the cornerstone and build around him."
The Immediate Reaction
The reaction was swift -- and polarizing.
NFL analysts were quick to weigh in. Some praised the Cardinals for not overthinking the pick, calling Love a "rare, transcendent talent" worthy of the investment. Others criticized the move as archaic, arguing that drafting a running back this high in an era of passing-dominant football and inexpensive veteran running backs is poor resource allocation.
On social media, Cardinals fans were divided. Some celebrated the arrival of a potential superstar, while others worried the team passed on an elite pass rusher like Abdul Carter or a shutdown cornerback like Will Johnson, both of whom were still on the board when Arizona made its selection.
In the Valley, the vibe is cautiously optimistic. The franchise needed a jolt of energy, and Love certainly provides that. Season ticket sales are expected to spike. The hype train is real -- and it's running at full speed.
What This Means for the Cardinals' Offense
From a schematic standpoint, the addition of Love is transformative.
Brissett will now have a true dual-threat running back in the backfield. Defenses will have to respect Love on zone runs, gap schemes, and screen passes. Hackett can now layer in more RPO concepts, play-action passes off Love's downhill running, and designed screens to get him in space.
The offensive line, which has been heavily invested in over the past two drafts, should benefit enormously. A back like Love forces defenses to stack the box, which opens up single coverage on the outside for Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Suddenly, the Cardinals' offense looks like it could be one of the most dangerous in the NFC.
One area where Love's impact will be felt immediately is in the red zone. The Cardinals ranked 18th in red-zone touchdown efficiency last season. Love's combination of power and patience makes him a nightmare for defenses inside the 20-yard line. Expect that number to improve in 2026.
The Historical Precedent
History is littered with cautionary tales about drafting running backs high. Trent Richardson (No. 3, 2012) flamed out after three seasons. Reggie Bush (No. 2, 2006) was a star, but never lived up to the generational hype. Saquon Barkley (No. 2, 2018) battled injuries and inconsistency before finding a resurgence with the Philadelphia Eagles.
But there are also success stories. Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4, 2016) was a key piece of the Cowboys' offense for years. Christian McCaffrey (No. 8, 2017) became the NFL's most versatile weapon. Adrian Peterson (No. 7, 2007) is a Hall of Famer.
The key variable? The supporting cast and scheme. Barkley thrived once he landed in a situation designed to maximize his talent. The Cardinals are betting that their offensive infrastructure -- Brissett's steady presence at quarterback, an improved offensive line, and Hackett's creative play-calling -- will allow Love to hit the ground running.
The Rest of the Draft: What's Left?
With the first pick in the books, the Cardinals still have significant work to do. They entered the draft with eight total selections, including a second-round pick (No. 35 overall), a compensatory third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks.
Now, the focus shifts to addressing the defense. Edge rusher remains a pressing need. Cornerback depth is thin after losing veteran starters in free agency. The Cardinals could also look for a versatile offensive tackle or a tight end to round out the skill position room.
Ossenfort has a history of being aggressive in the middle rounds, and with the No. 3 pick now secured, he has the flexibility to take the best player available at each spot or move around the board.
Final Verdict
This is a franchise-defining pick -- for better or worse. Jeremiyah Love is a tremendous talent, arguably the best pure running back to enter the draft since Saquon Barkley. The Cardinals have bet the house on his ability to change games, sell jerseys, and restore excitement to a fanbase hungry for a winner.
Whether that bet pays off will depend on Love's health, the offensive line's development, and the team's ability to build a defense in the later rounds. But for one night in Pittsburgh, the Cardinals didn't play it safe. They swung big.
And in a league where the safe pick often yields the safest results, sometimes a swing is exactly what a franchise needs.
Welcome to the desert, Jeremiyah Love. The pressure is on -- and so is the spotlight.