Revisiting Cardinals 2026 NFL Draft: Was drafting Jeremiyah Love the right choice for Arizona?

Taking a running back at No. 3 was a luxury an incomplete roster could not afford, especially with pressing needs in the trenches and Arizona sitting at 2-5 What are first-year head coach Mike LaFleur's beliefs about how to build a team and who would be those foundational players for the Arizona Cardinals? Those were the questions being asked prior to the 2026 NFL Draft. The offensive line was thought to be a priority for the offensive-minded head coach, but was there a prospect worth consideration for the No. 3 overall selection, or was best player available the more astute approach? It was not until the final month before the draft that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love had been associated with the Cardinals.

Then, the conversation evolved into: "Can the Cardinals afford to select a luxury position when there are so many other needs on the roster?" Las Vegas selected Ashton Jeanty No. 6 overall in 2025, and the team was worse the following season. Nearly halfway through the regular season, was Arizona justified in picking a running back No. 3 overall? The rookie out of Notre Dame has played in five games this season but has now missed time with a high ankle sprain. He has been on the field for 34.4% of the offensive snaps through Week