Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals, Round 1, Pick 3
The Arizona Cardinals selected running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Love, a Notre Dame product, now joins a Cardinals' offense that still has many remaining needs to fill.
Projected Role in the Cardinals Offense
- Immediate starter
- Expected snap share: 60-70%
- Expected touches per game: 18-22
- Timeline to start: Week 1
- Primary competition: Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, Trey Benson (but none, really)
Key Takeaways
Jeremiyah Love projects as an immediate starter and likely long-term RB1 in fantasy football.
Fantasy Football Impact of Jeremiyah Love on the Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love was drafted third overall by the Arizona Cardinals, the highest a running back has gone in the NFL Draft since the New York Giants selected Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018. Love is a transcendent talent, anchoring Notre Dame's run game over the last few years while finishing as a Heisman finalist in 2025. He's a true do-it-all back. He's got the speed to get behind defenses. His innate contact balance allows him to generate consistent yards after contact. His strength allows him to finish runs with an instinctual ability to convert first downs and touchdowns. And his spin move has proven to be one of the most unstoppable moves in college football.
Love is a scheme-agnostic player who can play in any offense. He's a true three-down back, capable of short-yardage and passing-down snaps. While other running backs will assuredly be involved, Love profiles best for the fantasy-friendly high-value touches. Without a legitimate quarterback, though, he could end up seeing loaded boxes early.
Love's skills are undeniable, but his landing spot raises some questions. Our Matt Bitonti has Arizona's run-blocking unit ranked 30th in the NFL. Last year, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and James Conner all averaged below the league average in yards before contact per attempt. Frankly, this offensive line is atrocious. Love is a dynamic playmaker who can generate yards regardless of protection, but it'll be tough sledding early in his NFL career. Isaac Seumalo was a nice free agency signing, but there are still weaknesses throughout that line.
The Fantasy Football Fallout
With Love in Arizona, every other Cardinals' running back falls into injury-away territory. There was no clear picture as to who would emerge as the best of the bunch, and picking their backup could prove to be even more difficult. Tyler Allgeier is the new face, and fantasy managers preferred him according to recent ADP. James Conner is going into his age-31 season and coming off a torn ACL. Trey Benson was drafted with high hopes but has yet to display any consistency. Allgeier likely slots in as the RB2, but Benson's speed and the allure of the unknown give him appealing upside in deep and dynasty leagues. Still, it's hard to imagine any having fantasy relevance without an injury to Love.
