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The Arizona Cardinals had the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they used it to bolster their running game. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was selected, and without playing a single down of NFL football, he is already the seventh-highest-paid running back in the league, with an Average Annual Value of $13.25 million.
Sounds like a sweet deal, as he was one of the best running backs in the College game a season ago. But, did the Cards already put themselves even further behind the 8-ball for 2026?
Bill Barnwell of ESPN believes so, as he named this draft selection as one of the worst moves by this organization this offseason.
To say that the running back position was a need for the Cardinals heading into the Draft is completely false. With Travis Allgeier and James Conner back there, it was certainly a drafting of the best available player at the time with the third pick.
The Cardinals did not make any other supplemental moves to improve the offensive line, nor did they try to offset the running attack with a passing game, as it will be Jacoby Brisett under center in 2026. Brisett held a 1-11 record with a 23-8 touchdown-to-interception rate. Not too bad, but not great either.
From this perspective, Love does not fundamentally alter the landscape of the Cardinals' success next season. If anything, it is a building block for the first overall selection in the 2027 draft, which could introduce a new thrower on this squad.
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