Cardinals Select Jeremiyah Love with No. 3 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking the highest selection of a running back since Saquon Barkley went second overall to the New York Giants in 2018.

Love, a unanimous All-American in 2025, rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He also contributed 1,652 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns, finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting.

The pick represents significant franchise history for Arizona. Love is the first running back selected by the Cardinals in the first round since Beanie Wells in 2009 and the highest-drafted running back in team history since Garrison Hearst was taken third overall in 1993.

General Manager Monti Ossenfort explained the decision, stating the team evaluated all available options but concluded Love could provide the most immediate impact. “We’re stacking our board. When we’re picking that high, the goal is to add an impact player,” Ossenfort said. “we felt we added the guy that could impact our team the most.”

Love joins a Cardinals backfield that includes veteran James Conner, returning from injury, along with Trey Benson and free-agent acquisition Tyler Allgeier. Ossenfort expressed confidence in the group’s potential, calling it “a good room” where healthy competition will elevate performance.

On draft night, a minor delay occurred when the Cardinals initially used an incorrect phone number to contact Love in Pittsburgh. Coach Mike LaFleur downplayed the incident, emphasizing the organization’s strong intent to select the prospect. “There was no delay,” LaFleur said, noting the team’s eagerness to secure Love’s services.

Love acknowledged the historical significance of his selection, referencing recent high-profile running backs like Bijan Robinson and Ashton Jeanty. “I have the opportunity to really set a new standard for running backs,” he said, expressing his commitment to representing the franchise with excellence.

As the 24th running back selected in the top three since the modern draft era began in 1967, Love joins an elite group. Only five of those selections have occurred in the past 30 years, underscoring the rarity of such a high draft investment at the position.

The Cardinals’ choice signals a commitment to revitalizing their offensive identity through a dynamic, explosive playmaker capable of contributing in both rushing and receiving roles.