Sitting at No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals will have options when it comes to filling a glaring need at either pass rusher or offensive line.
Any of David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr., Francis Mauigoa or Spencer Fano would be legit options in helping move one of the two position groups in the right direction. At least one of the four is bound to be there, too. No reaching required.
But what Arizona zigging instead of zagging and opting for another offensive playmaker to pair with new head coach Mike LaFleur? After seeing what Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love did at the NFL Draft Combine, that thinking is picking up even more steam this week.
“You look at the top of the draft. We all agree Fernando Mendoza is going No. 1 to the (Las Vegas) Raiders. After that, I think it’s probably going to be an edge rusher to the Jets. Maybe Sonny Styles gets into that mix,” NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay told Up & Adams on Monday. “But then you look at Arizona at No. 3, Tennessee at No. 4, even the Giants at No. 5 with Skattebo coming off of that injury. “I don’t think Jeremiyah Love gets out of the top five, and it won’t shock me if he’s the third pick in this draft.”
"I don't think Jeremiyah Love gets out of the top five, and it won't shock me if he's the third pick in this draft." ?
NFL analyst Todd McShay expects BIG things for the Notre Dame RB in this year's draft@McShay13 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/S6Z8NexMZc
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 2, 2026
It wasn’t just McShay floating the idea on a national scale, either.
After seeing the running back rip off a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and go to work during running back and pass-catching drills, Rich Eisen doesn’t see Love making it out of the top five next month.
“I don’t think I’m overreacting, but I don’t think Jeremiyah Love even gets out of the top five now. Let’s see what the Jets do with Breece Hall, that’s No. 1. No. 2, I’m looking at Arizona. Why wouldn’t they take Jeremiyah Love No. 3 overall? You just hired your new head coach Mike LaFleur, offensive side of the ball. You need a lot there. James Conner is coming off a catastrophic injury. But even if they do take an offensive lineman … a lot of people are looking now at Tennessee at No. 4.”
Another #NFLCombine has come and gone — what did we take away from the week in Indianapolis? And @richeisen makes a BOLD prediction for Jeremiyah Love:#NFL #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/RsTNYTKL1T
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) March 2, 2026
On the surface, getting a potential generational talent like Love at No. 3 would bring some serious excitement to LaFleur’s offense in Year 1.
In addition to his strong combine showing, the 6-foot, 212-pounder is coming off his final year at Notre Dame where he racked up 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries. He also caught 27 passes for 280 yards and three scores.
From a pure football player standpoint, CBS Network and NFL Network analyst Charles Davis believes Love fits that billing more than projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
“Jeremiyah Love is in that discussion for me. Love, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles. To me, Love is about as good as you’re going to get in this draft,” Davis told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Monday.
“That stigma … of not taking a guy that high and you can find running backs anywhere, I still remember the Dallas Cowboys taking Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4. That worked out really well for them. Didn’t win a Super Bowl, but you talk about an identity of a team and establishing what you’re doing to do. Todd Gurley going in the top 10 before the knee injury helps the Rams get to a Super Bowl.”
Just how high is Charles Davis on running back prospect Jeremiyah Love coming out of the NFL Combine?
"If I'm talking about the No. 1 overall football player … Jeremiyah Love is in that discussion for me," he told @WolfandLuke today.
Full interview: t.co/RAJZS8FLEe pic.twitter.com/T0GIxm5eBR
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 2, 2026
But given the needs elsewhere on the roster, a Love addition with the No. 3 pick would give off some serious Bugatti-trailer-park meme vibes.
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Sure, he can be a highlight reel, but how efficient is the running back going to be without a boost along the offensive line? Thanks to an inconsistent offensive line and plenty of injuries to the unit and the RBs room, Arizona had to seemingly abandon the rushing game late in the year. Michael Carter’s 333 yards and Bam Knight’s four touchdowns pacing Arizona’s run game last year is not going to cut it anywhere.
With how the roster is currently constructed, adding a premium reinforcement along the line with the No. 3 pick could help set the team up for more than just the season ahead.
And regardless of how much he can impact the offensive side of the ball, how much does it really matter if opposing offenses is making minced meat out of Arizona’s pass rush and making frequent trips to the end zone?
Josh Sweat had little trouble finding success in Arizona last year behind 12 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 17 QB hits. The next closest pass rushers in those respective categories? Baron Browning’s two sacks and Zaven Collins’ six tackles for loss and 10 QB hits.
The Cardinals could use an influx of talent at running back. But adding help along either side of the line of scrimmage is paramount with the third overall pick this draft.
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