The Arizona Cardinals selected running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, opting for offense over defense. Love is expected to enhance the team's offensive capabilities alongside James Conner and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Key points
Jeremiyah Love was selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
He is considered the best running back in the draft class
The Cardinals opted for offense over star defenders
Love will join James Conner and Marvin Harrison Jr. in the offense
Jacoby Brissett is expected to start as quarterback in 2026
Mentioned in this story
Kyler MurrayJacoby Brissett
Jeremiyah LoveJames ConnerMarvin Harrison Jr.Arizona Cardinals
With their No. 3 pick in Thursday's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cardinals passed on some star defenders to take Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, the consensus best back in the class and one of the best all-around prospects at his position in years.
The Cardinals may have long-term quarterback questions — with Kyler Murray gone, Jacoby Brissett is currently expected to start again in 2026 — but they will certainly boast one of the NFL's best groups of weapons next season.
Here's a look at how Love will fit alongside James Conner, Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Cardinals' offense.
Why did the Arizona Cardinals select Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick?
The Cardinals chose Jeremiyah Love because he is considered the best running back in the 2026 draft and a top all-around prospect.
How will Jeremiyah Love impact the Cardinals' offense in 2026?
Jeremiyah Love is expected to significantly boost the Cardinals' offensive performance, complementing key players like James Conner and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Who are the key offensive players for the Arizona Cardinals in 2026?
The key offensive players for the Cardinals in 2026 include running back Jeremiyah Love, running back James Conner, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
What are the Arizona Cardinals' quarterback plans for 2026?
With Kyler Murray gone, Jacoby Brissett is currently expected to start as the quarterback for the Cardinals in 2026.
Related Articles
MLB·Recap
Yankees sweep Red Sox with late rally at Fenway
Yankees complete sweep of Red Sox with a thrilling late rally at Fenway!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Tracking the Sauce Gardner trade results during the 2026 NFL Draft
Tracking the Sauce Gardner trade results during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
The Jets used the first Colts’ first-round pick from the Sauce Gardner trade
Jets make their pick using the Colts' first-round selection from the Sauce Gardner trade.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Cincinnati lands big-time edge rusher in Round 2 of Bengals.com mock draft
Cincinnati Bengals mock draft predicts Cashius Howell at 41st pick
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
2026 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns pick OT Spencer Fano at No. 9
Cleveland Browns select Spencer Fano with the 9th pick in 2026 NFL Draft!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Titans surprise with Carnell Tate selection. Will he be team's top WR?
Titans surprise with Carnell Tate selection at No. 4 in NFL Draft
All of a sudden, the Cardinals may have the NFL's most intriguing running back room.
Before the Love selection, veteran James Conner — the owner of two 1,000-yard seasons, coming off an injury that held him to three games in 2025 — was in line to receive a bulk of the 2026 carries. Despite being 30 and with the injury concerns, Conner has proven capable of handling starting reps in Arizona for the past five years.
The Cardinals also signed a highly capable backup, former Atlanta Falcon Tyler Allgeier, in free agency this offseason, while Trey Benson played a significant role in 2025 following Conner's injury.
The Love selection completely changes the dynamic. Given his production at Notre Dame and his consensus grades as the best offensive weapon in the 2026 class, Love isn't the kind of player the Cardinals would take to keep in a backup role — he is going to play a major role as a rookie, especially considering the draft capital they used on him. Love becomes the first top-5 pick at running back since Saquon Barkley.
For now, Arizona likely has plans to utilize Love's skillset in a shared role alongside Conner. On paper, it could be an excellent backfield — Love's ability to break off big plays with his speed, block, catch passes and fight for extra yards should pair well with Conner, who thrives in the red zone and up-the-middle.
However, there could also be more moves on the way for Cardinals running backs. Allgeier is plenty proven as an RB2 to Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, but now appears destined for a third-string role; Benson is also a highly qualified RB4.
Either way, the Cardinals appear to be leaning into their ground attack. While they don't have much long-term stability at quarterback, Arizona could wind up being one of the league's best rushing teams in 2026 thanks to the Love pick.
It’s not just the running back room — the Cardinals now arguably boast one of the best skill-position groups in the NFL.
The Love-Conner-Allgeier rushing attack should provide a strong floor for Brissett or Gardner Minshew to work with, along with a strong group of receivers and tight ends. Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn’t yet proven himself as the elite wideout the Cardinals hoped for when they selected him No. 4 overall in 2024, but he has still been solid (608 yards, four TDs over 12 games in 2025) and retains plenty of long-term upside.
Then, of course, there’s Trey McBride, already likely the best pass-catching tight end in the NFL. He put up 1,239 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, thriving alongside Brissett despite the Cardinals’ team struggles.
McBride, Harrison and Love may already form one of the best tight end-wide receiver-running back trios in the NFL. In a competitive NFC West, that matters when trying to keep pace with the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks.
It will be difficult for Arizona to contend in 2026 under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, but the path there now clearly runs through its offense — if Brissett can successfully manage a deep group of weapons while avoiding turnovers, there’s a playoff ceiling for the Cardinals next season.