NFL
Jefferson blunt on McCarthy with Kyler a Viking
Justin Jefferson discusses the Vikings' QB competition between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Growing speculation Arizona Cardinals could take running back with third overall pick
TL;DR
The Arizona Cardinals are speculated to select running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if they do not trade it.
Key points
- Arizona Cardinals have the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
- Speculation suggests they may select running back Jeremiyah Love
- Rumors about trading the pick continue to circulate
Jeremiyah LoveArizona Cardinals2026 NFL Draft
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 Images
When 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.
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.
There is no doubting the talent of Love, but the question is… Would this be the best use of the Cardinals assets?
Q&A
Who is Jeremiyah Love and why is he a top pick for the Cardinals?
Jeremiyah Love is a running back from Notre Dame, and he is being considered for the Cardinals' third overall pick due to his impressive performance and potential impact on the team.
What are the chances the Arizona Cardinals will trade their third overall pick?
While there is ongoing speculation about the Cardinals trading their third overall pick, current reports suggest they may choose to select a player instead.
When is the 2026 NFL Draft and what is its significance for the Cardinals?
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for Thursday night, and it is significant for the Cardinals as it presents an opportunity to strengthen their roster with a high-value pick.