With the third overall pick in this year’s draft, the Cardinals wanted to take a big swing to get back to the top of the intense NFC West. And swing they did, selecting the Heisman finalist from Notre Dame, Jerimiyah Love, shocking fans and analysts across the NFL. Now, Love has a chance to be the latest successful young running back.
He is already being thought of as Arizona’s superstar for the foreseeable future. Now, factor in new head coach Mike LaFleur, and the Cardinals have the tools to generate one of the best offenses in the NFC. The Cardinals are building a new identity, and starting with Love is a perfect step.
The rookie running back also has some big numbers on the contract side. Love has officially signed his rookie contract, which is a record-setting deal for running backs across the league. He and the Cardinals have possibly reset the entire NFL backfield market.
An Ideal Situation in Arizona
Love was a dominant force at Notre Dame, and he could certainly repeat history this season with the Cardinals. However, Arizona still has running back competition. Veteran James Conner remains on the roster, though he is coming off a major leg injury. The Cardinals also brought in former Falcon Tyler Allgeier. Even with the other backs, there’s no doubt that Love is the top dog. In fact, he showed last year he could dominate in a crowded backfield, thriving while sharing touches with fellow 1st round pick Jadarian Price.
LaFleur will likely know how to use Love’s talent wisely through his schemes and playcalling. He comes from a highly touted coaching tree, having learned from the likes of Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco and Sean McVay in Los Angeles. He even served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025. While he wasn’t the main playcaller, he played a major role in McVay’s West Coast scheme. Undoubtedly, his contributions led to breakouts from the likes of Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Matthew Stafford.
Lafleur now has the opportunity to use that same scheme to help Love flourish. Love will not just be a threat on the ground but also in the air, with screens and diverse pass concepts. This perfectly fits his tools, as his speed and agility allow him to thrive in the passing game.
Love Sits in Good Company
Love enters a new generation of highly talented backs alongside players like Ashton Jeanty, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bijan Robinson. During his three seasons with the Fighting Irish, Love accumulated 2,882 rushing yards and 42 total touchdowns. He was particularly dominant during his sophomore and junior seasons, displaying his remarkable strength and very high football IQ. Some have even gone as far as to compare his game to that of Saquon Barkley. High praise, no doubt.
With Arizona’s recent investment in the offensive line, the stage is set for a highly productive season. In fact, Love has already demonstrated his relentless work ethic, describing his mentality as “all gas, no brakes”.
Historical evidence supports the success of young backs. Barkley in 2018, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023, and Bucky Irving in 2024 all proved that rookies can dominate. They all had arguably top-five seasons among other backs in those campaigns; so why wouldn’t Love follow suit?
A New Dawn in Scottsdale
After a disappointing 2025 season in which they finished dead last in the NFC West, Arizona required a complete restart. They finished the injury-riddled season with just three wins, their lowest win total since 2019. With NFC West competition constantly rising, the Cardinals had to make a major change.
Now, with the selections of not just Love, but also offensive guard Chase Bisontis from Texas A&M, and quarterback Carson Beck from Miami, the retooling has begun in the Cardinals’ offense. Arizona’s offense already has a few pieces in place. The breakout of wide receiver Michael Wilson was the highlight of Arizona’s 2025 season. Additionally, with Trey McBride continuing his success, prosperous times in Scottsdale could be on the horizon.
Given the unique situation in Arizona and Love’s individual caliber, he is destined for success this season. He certainly has the potential to be a top-five running back and a primary catalyst for the Cardinals’ resurgence.
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