Love goes No. 3 to Cardinals, becomes highest-drafted RB since Saquon

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The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday.

Love, who set career highs with 1,372 rushing yards (6.9 per carry) and 18 touchdowns in 2025, is the highest-drafted tailback since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018.

The Notre Dame product rushed for 2,497 yards and 35 touchdowns over his final two years with the Fighting Irish.

Love is the Cardinals' first player drafted under new head coach Mike LaFleur.

The Cardinals have one of the league's deepest running back rooms, which includes free-agent signee Tyler Allgeier, veteran James Conner, and 2024 third-rounder Trey Benson.

Love's predraft profile

Love always had top-10 pick written all over him. Any team selecting a running back that early is bound to receive criticism from the position-value crowd, but there likely won't be any regrets here. The Notre Dame product should immediately become one of the best running backs in the NFL. He demonstrates an impressive feel as a runner, allowing his blocks to develop and setting up defenders before cutting to daylight. And when it seems like the defense has him bottled up, Love's elusiveness helps him create something out of nothing.

Upon finding a lane, he accelerates instantly, and he's got the juice to erase angles and pull away from defenders in the open field. Love is one of the rare running back prospects who can offer true three-down upside from Day 1. He's a proficient receiver out of the backfield and has shown an ability to run routes lining up out wide. Plus, he's a willing participant in pass protection. If Love can run behind his pads a little more consistently, he could end up being the best player in this entire class.