Revisiting Cardinals 2026 NFL Draft: Was drafting Jeremiyah Love the right choice for Arizona? — SkimNews
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- Jeremiyah Love has recorded 67 carries for 245 yards and one rushing touchdown through five games, playing 34.4% of Arizona's offensive snaps before missing time with a high ankle sprain.
- Arizona Cardinals selected Love at No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, committing the largest guaranteed contract among running backs despite pressing needs on the offensive line.
- Carnell Tate, drafted one pick after Love, received a rookie contract ranking 10th among wide receivers and second-highest on his team, highlighting the disparity in positional investment value.
- Spencer Fano and Arvell Reese, top offensive line prospects passed over by Arizona, would have commanded contracts with greater long-term team value and potential on-field impact.
- Mike LaFleur, in his first year as head coach, faced questions about team-building philosophy, particularly whether 'best player available' justified bypassing foundational offensive line needs.
Why it matters: The Cardinals’ 2-5 record and Love’s subpar tackle avoidance rate (6.0%, worst among RBs with 50+ carries) make the opportunity cost of his $10M+ guarantee tangible—those resources could have secured a foundational lineman, directly affecting both offensive performance and long-term roster efficiency.
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