NFL GM, insiders disagree about Cardinals, Jeremiyah Love chatter

In the week leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, numerous rumors surfaced suggesting that the Arizona Cardinals could make Notre Dame Fighting Irish star running back Jeremiyah Love the third overall pick of the player-selection process. The draft occurs on Thursday. 

For an update shared on Tuesday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US spoke with one unnamed general manager who is buying the chatter linking Love with the Cardinals.

Will the Cardinals make "exciting" Jeremiyah Love decision?

"I think they take Love with that pick," the general manager said about the Cardinals. "Just a hunch. But it’s pretty safe. With a first-time head coach (offensive guru Mike LaFleur), they usually go on his side of the ball. For the fans, it’s more exciting than an offensive lineman."

Multiple analysts view Love as the top overall offensive player in this year's draft, but the idea of a rebuilding team spending a top-three pick on a ball-carrier remains quite controversial in the pass-happy world of the modern NFL. Thus, it's not surprising that a Monday report indicated that "the Cardinals would like to find a team willing to trade up so they can acquire more picks." 

What would the Cardinals do if they can't trade out of pick No. 3? 

For a different article posted on Tuesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic spoke with "numerous coaches, executives and scouts" who seemingly aren't convinced Arizona is serious about drafting Love. 

"There’s been late buzz connecting the Cardinals to running back Jeremiyah Love," Howe wrote, "but some teams believe it’s a smokescreen to generate trade interest. The Cardinals need too much help elsewhere to select a back, especially since they don’t have a long-term answer at quarterback or enough of an offensive line to complement Love."

As of Monday, certain "league sources" believed the New York Jets would take Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese at selection No. 2 after the Las Vegas Raiders grab Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the draft's first choice. The individuals Howe reached out to think the Cardinals will select Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey at pick No. 3 if such a scenario plays out. 

"Bailey is the safest pick here," one executive told Howe about what the Cardinals should do if Mendoza and Reese go off the board, as expected. 

"Bailey is just so explosive and dynamic of a rusher, just true game-wrecking speed and explosiveness off the edge," a different executive added. "He can get home when he wants. He can affect the game. He can win with speed. He’s got speed to power (ability)."