With only hours until the 2026 NFL Draft, surprisingly, a lot of the buzz seems to be surrounding the Arizona Cardinals and what they will do with the No. 3 overall pick.
After finishing 3-14, the Cardinals earned the third overall pick, but they are considered by many to be the biggest wildcard of the entire draft. For the last week or so, mock drafts have had them everywhere from staying at No. 3 to trading down and even moving back into the first round for a second selection.
One of the latest rumors is that the Cardinals could surprise everyone, not only by keeping the third pick but by selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in the process. However, those rumors may be part of Arizona’s draft strategy.
Cardinals Rumors Continue To Shake Up Draft Board
In ESPN analyst Matt Miller’s latest mock draft, he has the Cardinals still going with the most presumed pick in Arvell Reese. He is sticking with that projection, but he also says do not be surprised if they go another route.
“Arizona is one of the toughest teams to predict given the buzz around it wanting to move out of this spot. I called around multiple times to see if this might be a place where the Chiefs move up from No. 9 for a pass rusher but was told it’s unlikely the Cardinals would want to move back that far,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t rule out a surprise here — maybe Jeremiyah Love or Francis Mauigoa — but I’m sticking with the chalk pick of Reese to boost a defense that allowed 28.7 points per game last season (29th in the NFL). But if you’re looking for a spot for your mock draft to get shaken up, it’s right here.”
Adding to that, Jeremy Fowler reported that the Cardinals could be using the Love interest as a bluff.
“The Love buzz has persisted for a few weeks, with the belief that Arizona really likes him. But the Cardinals could be looking to drum up trade interest, too, with either Love or Reese as a catalyst,” Fowler said. “The draft, in a way, starts at No. 3. And some teams are wondering if Arizona is bluffing on the Love pick when edge rusher and offensive tackle are such obvious needs.”
Reese is considered the second-best pass rusher in the draft behind David Bailey, who Miller has going to the New York Jets at No. 2. Love, on the other hand, is said to be the top overall prospect by some evaluators. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints have been mentioned as potential trade candidates.
For instance, in NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft, he has the Saints swapping this year’s first-round pick and offering a 2027 first-rounder to select Reese. The Cardinals then take Francis Mauigoa at No. 8.
Is the Jeremiyah Love Buzz Real For the Cardinals?
In his latest column, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer seems to believe the Jeremiyah Love interest from the Cardinals is real.
“I’m gonna wind up mocking Love to the Cardinals in the morning. One strong reason for it? I’ve heard the new coaching staff in Arizona absolutely loves him,” Breer wrote.
Perhaps the buzz surrounding Love landing in Arizona is indeed real. That would make for a crowded running back room, especially after adding Tyler Allgeier in free agency this offseason.
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