Growing speculation Arizona Cardinals could take running back with third overall pick
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the third quarter at Stanford Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesWhen the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft comes to a close Thursday night, one thing is for certain, the Arizona Cardinals rumors will be dead.
However, before that happens we are going to continue to get inundated with reports about what they will do with the third overall pick.
If it is not traded, the new speculation is that they will in fact take running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick.
There is growing chatter in league circles that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is in play with Arizona at No. 3 overall. Ideally, the Cardinals would like to find a team willing to trade up so they can acquire more picks, and there have already been exploratory" calls,...
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 20, 2026
In this draft, Love is without question a top five talent. Hell, he could be a top three talent and maybe top two if you remove the quarterback.
So, the Arizona Cardinals taking one of the few blue chip players in this class is not a bad thing.
That being said, taking a running back third overall after signing Tyler Allgeier, with questions at the right tackle position, the pass rusher opposite Josh Sweat, and the complete unknowns at both cornerback (injuries) and quarterback is definitely going to spark some welcomed debate about roster construction.
The other thing is, Love would break an NFL record for running back contracts before ever playing a down.
Jeremiyah Love would make $50,537,014, all guaranteed, before taking an NFL snap (per Spotrac).
- Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) April 20, 2026
No RB contract in NFL history has guaranteed that much money.
Seems wise. https://t.co/opxrPUokDb
There is no doubting the talent of Love, but the question is... Would this be the best use of the Cardinals assets?