
Miller's final NFL mock draft -- with Fowler's latest intel: Projecting 32 first-round picks
Check out the final predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft, starting at 8 p.m. ET!
Jeremiyah Love is a top talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially projected as a top-five pick. However, financial implications could affect his draft position, particularly if he goes No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals.
If it was all about talent and we didnāt factor in need and positional value, Jeremiyah Love might be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Love is viewed by many as the best player in this yearās class, regardless of position. Itās not hard to see why after what he put on tape at Notre Dame.
As a result, Love has been projected to be a top-five pick, with some estimates having him go as high as No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals.
But thereās a potential financial problem with a top-five projection for Love.
As Nick Korte of Over The Cap points out, if Love were to go to the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 3 overall pick, he would crush the running back record for most guaranteed money.
āIf Jeremiyah Love were to be drafted 3rd overall as (ESPN reporter) Dan Graziano suggests is possible, heād utterly shatter the RB market for fully guaranteed money at about $53.87M,ā Korte wrote.
āSaquon Barkley currently leads at $36M, w/2nd at $35.6M being⦠Ashton Jeanty,ā Korte concluded.
Love could even break the record if heās drafted as late as No. 7, a pick owned by the running back-needy Washington Commanders.
To show you just how much rookie salaries have ballooned over the years, Barkley, who was the No. 2 overall pick in 2018, had a rookie contract with $31.1 million guaranteed.
Ashton Jeanty was the No. 6 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025. His contract is worth a total value of $35.8 million (all guaranteed), which ranks ninth in the NFL.
Jeremiyah Love is viewed as the best player in the draft class due to his impressive performance at Notre Dame.
If Love is selected No. 3 by the Arizona Cardinals, he could set a record for the most guaranteed money for a running back, which may influence his draft stock.
Love is projected to be drafted as high as No. 3 by the Arizona Cardinals.

Check out the final predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft, starting at 8 p.m. ET!

Nuggets on McDaniels' 'bad defenders' jab: 'Let them talk'

Caitlin Clark plans to reduce ball handling to stay fresh in 2026.
Juan Soto reveals he hasn't spoken to Mets teammates during losing streak
Dunkinā temporarily renames donut to 'Philly Kreme' for 76ers playoff support!
Can Ceddanne Rafaela spark the Red Sox lineup as leadoff hitter against the Yankees?
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
Right now, the overwhelming belief is that Love wonāt make it past the New York Giants at No. 5 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But we would not lock that in, no matter how many rumors there are floating around saying that.
While the position has rebounded in recent years, there has still been a devaluing of running backs overall.
Teams at the top of the draft are there because they are lacking talent, and usually at key positions.
Those teams will have to weigh if they want to spend that much on a running back at the risk of hindering their ability to improve more crucial positions.
Weāll find out how much of an impact money will have on Loveās draft spot on Thursday night.