The Arizona Cardinals are putting the horse on for the cart under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur.
The Cardinals don’t have a long-term solution at quarterback after releasing Kyler Murray this offseason. With Jacoby Brissett missing the start of OTAs, it’s questionable if they have a short-term answer at the position.
Arizona needs better help in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The 2026 NFL Draft had a loaded draft class on defense, especially at edge rusher.
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The state of the Cardinals roster made it curious when the team selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick in the draft. While some scouts believe Love might be the best player in the class, the running back position is more of a luxury item early in the first round.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN labeled the pick the worst offseason move for the Cardinals. Not only will Love have a tough time funding running lanes with the current offensive line, but Arizona is paying him an incredible salary as a rookie rusher.
“It’ll be extremely difficult for Love to live up to those expectations in Arizona, where the Cardinals have one of the league’s least-imposing quarterback rooms and offensive lines,” Barnwell wrote. “Passing up potential defensive difference-makers such as Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs makes leaning into running back a difficult proposition …
“Even if Love does emerge as a standout back, the finances of the running back position already cap what teams typically want from their first-round picks. By signing a fully guaranteed four-year, $53 million contract, Love has already realized the largest guarantee for any back in football by a considerable margin.”
The Las Vegas Raiders made a similar move in 2025 when they drafted Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 pick. He struggled early in the season before finishing with 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns behind a bad offensive line.
The problem for the Cardinals is, like the Raiders, they’re paying Love a premium salary to be a playmaker, but the offensive line might not be good enough to let him show off his skill set.
It’s a waste of money for Arizona, and could set the team back as they have plenty of other positions that could have been addressed with the No. 3 pick that will have to be found in the future.
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