Jeremiyah Love drafted by the Cardinals: How he fits, fantasy outlook

In the 2026 NFL Draft, running backs matter – at least when it comes to Jeremiyah Love anyway.

The Notre Dame star was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It was a quick night for the former Fighting Irish running back, who barely had enough time to get comfortable in the green room before taking the stage.

Love figures to be one of those "can't miss" prospects who should have no trouble starring at the next level. Considered to be arguably the best player in the entire draft, there was plenty of debate surrounding the positional value problem that drafting a running back represents.

The Cardinals will now have to pay almost top dollar at the position for the rookie, thanks to the nature of slotted contracts in the NFL draft. Love's slotted contract is set to pay him $50.5 million fully guaranteed. It is the most guaranteed money given to a running back in the league, according to OverTheCap.

Of course, Arizona was willing to overlook that in exchange for a player that is a true three-down back with no shortage of skills to showcase.

Here's what to know about where Love lands on the team's depth chart and his overall fit with the Cardinals.

Cardinals RB depth chart

• Jeremiyah Love
• James Conner
• Tyler Allgeier
• Trey Benson

How does Jeremiyah Love fit with the Cardinals?

Love figures to sit atop the running back depth chart with the Cardinals, who have lacked explosive weapons on offense in recent memory.

He joins an offense that already includes Trey McBride as well as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, a pair of receivers that still have plenty of room to grow. As the Cardinals build for the future, it gives Arizona a headliner that should have no trouble selling tickets and jerseys.

From a value standpoint, it's interesting that the Cardinals would invest in a running back at this point. They are not positioned to compete immediately in a loaded NFC West and still lack a franchise quarterback. In theory, the Cardinals could waste Love's prime years with a rebuild.

Make no mistake though, Love should thrive in a system like Mike LaFleur's. It's a running back friendly system that features plenty of play action and will utilize the player's skillset. Think of it like Breece Hall's usage with the Jets when LaFleur served as the offensive coordinator with the Jets.

Whether that means they got the best value out of the pick, however, that is up for debate.

Jeremiyah Love fantasy outlook

Love should be a fantasy star and projects to be a solid fit in Arizona's offense.

Surrounded by plenty of receiving talent with McBride, Harrison and Wilson, he won't have to face a loaded box with explosive weapons around him. That will open up the running game for the do-it-all back, who will also see plenty of action in the passing game.

Many will point to the quarterback as something that could hold Love back, but it might be the opposite. The Cardinals will likely lean on the rookie to help open up the rest of the offense.

Instead, it's a loaded running back room that could be the thing holding Love back with Conner, Allgeier and Benson all still on the roster. Conner is coming off a foot injury that ended his 2025 season after just three games. Allgeier was just signed in free agency.

It's hard to envision either player cutting into the rookie's workload, however, given the premium price Arizona just paid for Love.

That alone should be enough to inspire some confidence for fantasy managers heading into the summer.