Latest Jeremiyah Love Landing Spot Rumors Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft Amid Cardinals, Titans Buzz

The chorus of voices continues to grow pointing to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love landing with the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL draft.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Thursday that the Cardinals "will be staring at Jeremiyah Love vs. a trade back."

The Heisman Trophy finalist has been a popular pick for the Tennessee Titans at No. 4, but he may not last that long.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that "there is growing chatter in league circles that Love is truly in play" for Arizona.

"Ideally, the Cardinals would like to find a team willing to trade up so they can acquire more picks, and there have already been 'exploratory' calls, as one source described it, regarding the No. 3 selection," Schefter said. "But if the Cardinals hold on to their pick, some around the league believe they could pull an early draft surprise and select Love in a slot slightly higher than he has been projected to go."

One NFL team executive gave his thoughts on why Love could end up with the Cardinals.

"Love could go to Arizona if they are looking for ticket sales and that's driven by ownership as a sexy pick," an NFC team exec told CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones.

Dan Graziano of ESPN echoed that narrative Wednesday. He reported Arizona would be happy to trade out of No. 3 for the right price and is likely to take Love if it stays there.

In general, few question Love's potential at the next level. Over the past two seasons with the Fighting Irish, he ran for 2,497 yards and 35 touchdowns while catching 55 passes for 517 yards and five scores.

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The junior ranks second overall on Bleacher Report's final big board, with B/R scout Dame Parson comparing him to four-time Pro Bowler Jamaal Charles.

Love would certainly be an upgrade to a Cardinals offense that averaged the second-fewest rushing yards (93.1) in the league.

What's worth asking, however, is whether any running back warrants top-five consideration. The position isn't as valued as it once was, and there isn't the kind of cost savings with rookie contracts compared to other areas of the field.

Love would earn an average salary of $12.6 million if he were picked third overall by virtue of the rookie wage scale. That figure would rank seventh among running backs.

The opportunity to get a playmaker as dynamic as Love might nonetheless be too good to pass up for the Cardinals or another team that trades up into the No. 3 pick.