Cardinals select Jeremiyah Love with No. 3 pick in NFL draft - ESPN

TEMPE, Ariz. — As soon as the New York Jets took David Bailey with the second pick in the NFL draft, Jeremiyah Love had a feeling where he was headed.

A conversation with general manager Monti Ossenfort last week left Love believing he'd end up with the Arizona Cardinals because of the «great dialogue» between the two.

And his gut was right.

The Cardinals drafted Love with the No. 3 pick Thursday night, making the former Notre Dame star the first running back to be drafted in the top five since Saquon Barkley went to the New York Giants at No. 2 in 2018.

It's a position that Love didn't take lightly.

«It's very special,» Love said. «I have the opportunity to really set a new standard for running backs. We've already had Saquon, we've had Bijan [Robinson], we've had Ashton Jeanty, and now you have me. It is my job and it's my duty to make sure that when I step foot in Arizona that I do what I got to do to represent the backs and represent Arizona in the right way.

»So, that's what I'm going to do coming into the league. I'm going to make sure I represent the right way. And, yeah, I'm very blessed to have that opportunity, man, and I'm just ready to work and do what I got to do to have success."

Love will join a crowded running backs room in Arizona that includes veteran James Conner, who has been the Cardinals' starter since 2022; Trey Benson, whom Arizona drafted in 2024; recently signed Tyler Allgeier, whom Arizona gave $8 million guaranteed in March; and Bam Knight, who had 82 carries for 269 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games last season playing in place of Conner and Benson.

It's a group that Love said he's «very excited» to join.

«They got a great group of guys in there,» Love said. «I'm ready to come and