Jeremiyah Love's Role in the Cardinals Offense
Love is the clear lead back and projected workhorse for Arizona in 2026. As the No. 3 overall pick (highest RB since Saquon Barkley), he's positioned to inherit 60%+ of the carries and operate as a three-down back in Mike LaFleur's run-friendly, play-action-heavy scheme (from the Jeremiyah Love page).
The good:
- 6'0", 212 lbs with a 4.35 forty — a true workhorse frame
- Elite receiving ability out of the backfield, which LaFleur's system should maximize
- Weapons around him (Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson) prevent defenses from stacking the box
- Goal-line work is projected to be strong given his profile
The concern:
- James Conner (veteran pass-catching back) and Tyler Allgeier are still in the mix, though Love's draft capital makes a true committee unlikely
- Arizona's weak QB situation and offensive line losses could cap efficiency
- The team may play from behind often, which could create boom-bust weekly patterns
On Sal Vetri's show, he ranked Love as his #21 overall player in redraft, calling him "absolutely sensational" — . Freedman has Love as his RB10 with mid-range RB2 floor and RB1 upside.
Bottom line: Love is the lead dog in this backfield from Day 1, with the physical tools and draft capital to be a weekly starter in fantasy. The main risk is the team context around him, not his talent or role.