Arizona Cardinals Draft Plan at No. 3 Will Be Driven By Ticket & Merch Sales Boost?

At No.3 in the NFL Draft, the assumption is the Arizona Cardinals will take the best player available or address a major need. However, a new report suggests that bringing in a player that can boost revenue and improve brand recognition may be the priority.

The Cardinals are one of the most intriguing teams heading into this week’s NFL Draft. By having the third pick, they have the opportunity to land a player who could be a game-changer and a core member of the roster for years to come. Players like Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love have all been linked to the Cards at No. 3.

However, a case can be made that after a 3-14 season and firing their head coach, Arizona has a lot of problems and should trade down in Round 1 to get more picks this year and/or next. That is why they have been linked to various trade rumors over the last couple of weeks.

Jeremiyah Love is a perfect pick for the Arizona Cardinals?

But there may be a different train of thought guiding the team’s draft plans this year, especially with that pick in Round 1: Making more money. On a Wednesday edition of ESPN’s Get Up, NFL insider Adam Schefter said that if they don’t trade out of No. 3, after years of going defense-first, they need to make a splashy move that can generate a spark, excitement, and energy. That is why he thinks Love will be the player they select.

Fellow NFL insider Peter Schrager then chimed in by noting the Cardinals are near the bottom of the league in merchandise and ticket sales. And after bringing in a new head coach in Mike LaFleur this offseason, there is a feeling of 2026 being about a “refresh” for the franchise.

Then, when NFL analyst Jason McCourty was asked what the best-case scenario would be for the Cardinals, he said, “get your Jeremiyah Love jerseys ready” because of the marketing potential of the talented running back.

To many NFL Draft evaluators, Love is the best player in this year’s class because of his electrifying running skills and his ability to make plays in the passing game. However, taking running backs so high is a rarity in the current NFL. But Love seems to be an exception because of his talent and what he could do for the Cardinals’ brand.