Jeremiyah Love Could Go to Sneaky NFC West Team in 2026 NFL Draft

It feels like former Notre Dame running back and Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love has been linked to all 32 NFL teams.

Of course, that’s not true, but he has been linked to most of the teams set to pick in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23.

Add the Arizona Cardinals to the list.

Sports Illustrated senior NFL writer Albert Breer reported that the Cardinals would like to move out of the No. 3 overall pick and trade down because this draft class lacks blue-chip talent at premium positions.

However, Breer could see Arizona taking Love at No. 3 overall if they don’t trade down.

“If they stick, I think [former Ohio State edge rusher Arvell] Reese is in the equation for them, but I have heard another name there, and I think this is an interesting one,” Breer said. “Reese is one name. Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame running back, is another one that I would say is very much under consideration for this pick.”

Breer continued, “Look, I mean, I think for ownership, this is obviously a guy who can create some sizzle for you. I also think for [Cardinals general manager] Monti Ossenfort, this is one he’s gotta get right. And taking Jeremiyah Love, despite the position, is parking one in the middle of the fairway.”

While Heisman-winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is universally expected to be the No. 1 overall pick of the Las Vegas Raiders, many draft analysts and NFL reporters have evaluated Love as the best overall prospect. Love has most consistently been projected to go off the board at No. 4 overall to the Tennessee Titans.

“We haven’t seen a running back go this early since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 eight years ago, but Love has the goods to come off the board in the top five,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. reasoned in his latest mock draft. “And while the case could easily be made that Tennessee has other, more important holes to fill on its roster, it’d be a mistake to look at Love solely as a traditional running back. He’s a playmaker who can put a jolt in the Titans’ offense in the backfield with quarterback Cam Ward.”

Last season at Notre Dame, Love posted 199 carries for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on a 6.9 yards per rush average. He added 280 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.

Love and the rest of the 2026 draftees will learn their fates when the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23. It will run through April 25 in Pittsburgh.

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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 8:23 PM.