Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine.
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Mike LaFleur spoke about where former first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. will fit in his offense.
The Arizona Cardinals at the No. 3 overall pick have been connected to several blue-chip prospects. With the draft weak at quarterback, the Cardinals will likely not pick one in the first round.
This paves the way for the Cardinals to draft at another position of need, such as offensive line or edge rusher.
Or does it?
An NFL insider has connected an unexpected position to Arizona.
NBC Sports’ Connor Rogers has connected former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to the Cardinals.
“The Cardinals are strong at pass catcher, but they might look to create a dynamic backfield this offseason,” Rogers wrote. “Notre Dame superstar Jeremiyah Love has been a popular name connected to the 7th-9th overall picks. I’m not confident he makes it to that range anymore.”
What Would Love Bring to the Arizona Cardinals?
Love is one of the premier offensive players in the draft, and for good reason. He has been a stud ever since he got consistent playing time in 2024.
Love has rushed for 2,497 yards in the last two seasons, at 6.9 yards per carry with 35 touchdowns on the ground. He also adds 517 receiving yards and five touchdowns since then.
Love was a Heisman finalist, finishing third in voting, as well as an All-American in 2025. He also won the Doak Walker Award for the top running back in college football. Despite playing just 12 games, Love had 1652 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns.
He showed off in the combine with a beyond-impressive 4.36 40-yard dash time. Lance Zierlein of NFL Network compares Love to superstar running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
“[Love is a] three-phase running back capable of stressing defenses with big-play speed and untapped pass-catching value,” Zierlein wrote. “Love shared carries but was the heartbeat of Notre Dame’s offense over the last two years. He runs with a fierce tempo and processes the front with adequate eyes to find entry points and burst through them.”
How Would Love Fit on the Team?
But why would the Cardinals do this when they have more pressing needs, despite his draft profile?
Rogers thinks it could be due to his coaching tree.
“As for Arizona, new head coach Mike LaFleur has worked with Kyle Shanahan, Mike McDaniel and Sean McVay for multiple seasons,” Rogers wrote. “He has seen firsthand how a run game (and utilizing running backs in the pass game) can be the engine to a team.”
Love can definitely engineer an offense, as he did for two seasons with Notre Dame.
However, for an NFL running back to get free in today’s game, they need a strong offensive line in front of them. The Cardinals need to work on their offensive line, as well as their defensive line.
This should put them out of the running for Love for that reason alone. Seeing what Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty did in his rookie season, that should put the debate to rest.
Behind a poor offensive line, Jeanty showed flashes, but rushed for just 975 yards on 3.7 yards per carry.
In addition, if Arizona drafts Love, it would more than likely mean the end of the James Conner era in the desert.
Love would be the obvious RB1 in Arizona, but is it worth passing on a position of higher need?