It was supposed to be a straightforward call. The Arizona Cardinals had the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft locked in. They knew who they wanted -- Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love -- and they were ready to make it official. There was just one problem: They couldn't reach him.
According to a report and direct statements by Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort, the team's war room had the wrong phone number for Love, leading to an awkward delay in the selection announcement. While the rest of the league and the television audience waited, the Cardinals scrambled to find the correct digits to deliver the life-changing news.
"We had the wrong phone number," Ossenfort admitted. "It's one of those things that's funny now, but at the moment, it was chaos."
The anecdote adds a uniquely human, almost comedic layer to an otherwise momentous occasion. Love, a dynamic playmaker out of South Bend, was widely considered a top-five talent -- and the Cardinals didn't hesitate to pull the trigger. But the error meant that Love found out he was a Cardinal a few minutes later than he should have, with the team frantically checking scouting files and calling backup contacts.
For a franchise that has been laser-focused on revitalizing its roster, the wrong-number mishap is the kind of story that will follow Love and the Cardinals for years. It's a reminder that even in the hyper-professional world of the NFL Draft, human error still finds a way to intrude.
A Stellar Talent Worth the Wait
Once the call finally connected, Love wasn't dwelling on the delay. The former Fighting Irish standout was simply ecstatic to hear his name called at No. 3 overall.
"It was a surreal moment," Love said in his introductory press conference as a Cardinal. "I was sitting there with my family, and the phone rang, and it was them. It didn't matter that it took an extra minute. I'm just ready to get to work."
And for good reason. Love is the kind of generational talent that can transform an offense. In his final season at Notre Dame, he rushed for 1,372 yards, averaged 6.4 yards per carry, and scored 18 total touchdowns. He also demonstrated elite receiving skills out of the backfield, hauling in 27 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Scouts compare his skill set to a blend of Christian McCaffrey's versatility and Saquon Barkley's explosive burst.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett wasted no time signaling that Love will be a centerpiece of the offense from Day 1.
"He's a three-down back," Hackett told reporters after the selection. "We didn't draft him at No. 3 to be a complementary piece. We drafted him to be the engine."
Draft Haul Overview: A Busy Weekend for Monti Ossenfort
The Love selection headlines a busy draft weekend for general manager Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals front office. According to analysis from multiple sports outlets, Arizona entered the draft with a clear mandate: find difference-makers on both sides of the ball, with a particular emphasis on the skill positions and the defensive line.
Here's a look at the Cardinals' 2026 draft class through the completion of Day 2:
Round 1, Pick 3 (Overall): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The headliner. Love is expected to be an immediate starter and the focal point of a rushing attack that ranked in the bottom half of the league last season. His ability to line up wide, run routes, and break tackles makes him a matchup nightmare for defenses. The wrong-number saga aside, this pick has drawn near-universal praise from draft analysts.
Round 2, Pick 34 (Overall): Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Cardinals addressed a glaring need along the interior defensive line with Harmon, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound disruptor who excels at collapsing the pocket against the run and rushing the passer from the A-gap. Harmon logged 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 2025, showing a quick first step that should immediately bolster the pass rush.
Round 3, Pick 65 (Overall): Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Cornerback depth was a priority, and Muhammad is a press-man specialist with 4.38 speed and sticky coverage skills. He's raw in zone concepts but has the physical tools to develop into a No. 2 corner opposite the team's returning starter. The coaching staff is confident he can contribute in sub-packages immediately.
Round 4, Pick 104 (Overall): Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
The Cardinals doubled down on pass-catching weapons. Lachey is a classic Iowa tight end -- a strong blocker with reliable hands and deceptive athleticism. He's not a vertical threat, but he provides a reliable safety valve and a dependable red-zone target.
Round 5, Pick 143 (Overall): Jamari Johnson, OG, Louisville
An interior offensive lineman with position flexibility, Johnson can play guard or center. He's a mauler in the run game, which fits perfectly with the downhill running scheme the Cardinals plan to install around Love.
Round 6, Pick 183 (Overall): Javion Cohen, LB, South Carolina
A rangy off-ball linebacker who excels in coverage. Cohen is a developmental prospect but has the athletic profile to earn a role on special teams while he learns the defensive playbook.
Round 7, Pick 217 (Overall): Dillon Johnson, WR, Mississippi State
A late-round flier on a big-bodied receiver (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) who can win contested catches. Johnson's route running is a work in progress, but his size and body control give him a chance to stick as a red-zone specialist.
Fit and Philosophy
The Cardinals' draft strategy was clear: build around youth, speed, and versatility. With Love, Harmon, and Muhammad as the top three picks, Arizona landed three potential immediate starters. But it's the Love selection that will define this class.
Pairing Love with an improving offensive line and current quarterback Jacoby Brissett gives the Cardinals a dynamic backfield that should be difficult to defend. Love's ability to catch passes out of the backfield also opens up play-action opportunities and jet-motion looks that the coaching staff has been eager to incorporate.
The defensive additions (Harmon, Muhammad) address two of the unit's weakest spots: interior pass rush and cornerback depth. Harmon, in particular, is a tone-setter. If he can replicate his Oregon production at the NFL level, he'll be a steal in the second round.
What's Next?
The Cardinals are still in the early stages of their rebuild under GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Mike LaFleur, but this draft class represents a major step forward. Love's arrival signals a shift toward a run-first, play-action-heavy offense that controls the clock and sets up deep shots to the team's receivers.
As for the wrong-number story? It's already becoming part of the Love lore. When asked if he's changed his number since the draft, Love laughed.
"Yeah, I gave them the right one this time. I don't think they'll lose it again."
The Cardinals are betting they won't -- and that Love will be their cornerstone for the next decade.
