Cardinals' Love Pick Faces Scrutiny After 2-5 Start and Ankle Injury
Arizona's third overall selection in the 2026 draft has played 34.4% of offensive snaps through Week 7 before a high ankle sprain limited his availability.
By Lily Carter ·
The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. Arizona entered Week 8 of the season with a 2-5 record. Love has played in five games this season and was later sidelined with a high ankle sprain.
Love has been on the field for 34.4% of offensive snaps through Week 7. His totals include 67 carries for 245 yards, an average of 3.7 yards per carry, and one rushing touchdown. He also has 11 receptions for 36 yards and one receiving touchdown. Free agent acquisition Tyler Allgeier has taken on part of the rushing workload.
Among running backs with at least 50 carries, Love ranks last in tackle avoidance rate at 6.0%, according to TruMedia. He is listed at 6 feet and 212 pounds. The Cardinals selected him after considering the offensive line as a priority for LaFleur, who arrived with an offensive background. The team weighed that need against the best player available approach before the draft.
The pick carried an opportunity cost that extends to contract value. Love's contract ranks fourth in value among running backs and carries the largest guarantee at the position. Carnell Tate, selected one pick later, holds a contract ranked tenth among wide receivers and second on his own team. Arizona could have taken offensive tackle Spencer Fano or Arvell Reese at the third slot, choices the source identified as potentially more valuable contracts and more impactful on the field.
Las Vegas selected Ashton Jeanty sixth overall in the 2025 draft. The Raiders were worse the following season. The source compared Arizona's situation to that selection when discussing whether a team should use a high pick on a running back before the offensive line is sound and the quarterback can threaten downfield.
Love entered the league as a prospect described as a more patient version of Travis Etienne. He remains under his rookie contract, and the source stated he will be a key contributor through those terms. Teams across the league have shown more willingness to extend running backs beyond the rookie deal, and players at the position are competing into their late 20s and early 30s. Arizona's record stood at 2-5 through Week 7.
Source: CBS Sports
