Jeremiyah Love was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is expected to enhance the team's struggling backfield, which ranked 31st in rushing yards last season.
Key points
Jeremiyah Love selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals
He plays running back and adds depth to the team
Cardinals ranked 31st in rushing yards last season
Michael Carter led the team with 333 rushing yards
He adds depth to a position of need after the Cardinals finished ranked 31st of 32 teams after averaging 93.1 rushing yards per game during the regular season. Michael Carter led the Cardinalsā running back committee last season, leading the team with 333 rushing yards in 13 games played.
Love finished his junior season with 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 attempts in 12 games played for Notre Dame. He also caught 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. He finished third in the Hesiman Trophy voting.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchiseādefining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Above, A detailed view of the stage showing a still of Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana on screen after being selected first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Q&A
What position does Jeremiyah Love play for the Arizona Cardinals?
Jeremiyah Love plays as a running back for the Arizona Cardinals.
Why did the Cardinals select Jeremiyah Love in the NFL Draft?
The Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love to add depth to their backfield, which struggled last season, ranking 31st in rushing yards.
How did the Cardinals perform in rushing yards last season?
The Cardinals averaged 93.1 rushing yards per game, finishing 31st out of 32 teams in the league.
Who led the Cardinals' running back committee last season?
Michael Carter led the Cardinals' running back committee with 333 rushing yards in 13 games played.
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David Bailey of Texas Tech poses after being selected second overall pick by the New York Jets during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Carnell Tate of Ohio State poses after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Arvell Reese of Ohio State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected fifth overall pick by the New York Giants during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1 / 5
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchiseādefining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Above, A detailed view of the stage showing a still of Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana on screen after being selected first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1 / 5
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchiseādefining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Above, A detailed view of the stage showing a still of Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana on screen after being selected first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
2 / 5
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
David Bailey of Texas Tech poses after being selected second overall pick by the New York Jets during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3 / 5
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
4 / 5
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Carnell Tate of Ohio State poses after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
5 / 5
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Arvell Reese of Ohio State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected fifth overall pick by the New York Giants during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jeremiyah Love draft grades
Grade: C-
"After all that speculation on a trade, Arizona stayed put and made Love the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Love can truly be a game-breaker in the right setting. But the Cardinals might have an extremely difficult time getting a return on investment in him that would justify this pick.
"Love shatters the guaranteed pay for running backs with a whopping $52.5 million, meaning that extracting any surplus value on what should be a cost-controlled rookie deal will be extremely difficult. And as other highly drafted running backs have demonstrated, there's only so much that even the most talented ball carriers can do to revolutionize a ground game that has troubles starting up front. With little certainty behind center and a significant weakness at right tackle, Love might find it hard to find any running space early in his career." - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY Sports
