Running Back · Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
The case
- · Third overall pick in 2026 after two highly productive three season despite working in a rotational role with Jadarian Price.
- · 40 touchdowns<w:t>across his final 28 games at Notre Dame while gaining 6.9 yards per catch and 9.4 yards per catch.
- · Love steps into an offense that threw the ball a league-high 649 times last season with two talented wide receivers and an elite tight end.
- · Last year, Bijan Robinson was a beast running back with Tyler Allgeier as his handcuff. On the downside, the Falcons’ backs had 143 more running back rushing attempts, resulting in 819 more rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
- · Arizona added two notable offensive linemen in the offseason (G Chase Bisontis – 2nd-round draft pick in 2026 and G Isaac Seumalo – three years for $31.5 million).
- · New head coach (Mike LaFleur) who led the Rams to a dynamic offensive season last year.
Question marks
- · How much will the Cardinals rotate in a second back?
- · Which improves an offensive line more: a great running back or talented blocking options? Arizona allowed 59 sacks in 2025.
- · Will Love be at his best late in the season when fantasy championships are on the line?
- · The Cardinals’ running backs ranked last in rushing attempts (299) and rushing yards (1,242) last year.
- · Will Arizona be a more balanced offense this year?
Shawn's conclusion
To be a top 12 running back in most fantasy seasons, a running back needs to score between 240.00 and 250.00 PPR fantasy points or 1,400 combined yards with 10 touchdowns and about 50 catches, which accidentally matched my player profile written in late June. Fun player to draft and follow, and his talent screams, “tee him up!”
More on Love
Over his final two seasons at Notre Dame, Love carved out a rotational role in the backfield while consistently making an impact when called upon. Across 28 games, he flashed genuine big-play ability (averaging 6.9 yards per carry and 9.4 yards per reception) and proved to be a reliable finisher near the goal line, accounting for 40 touchdowns. Love arrives at the combine measuring 6'0" and 210 pounds, with a 4.36 40-yard dash that confirms what the tape already shows.
For a team looking to add a dynamic playmaker late in the offensive puzzle, Love is one of the more intriguing backs in this class. He runs with his eyes up and a natural patience behind his blockers, capable of setting up blocks before exploding through creases with a burst that very few backs can match. Once Love reaches the second level with space to operate, he's a home-run threat, the kind of player who can turn a modest gain into a highlight-reel score. Love's also not afraid of contact, finishing runs with physicality and competitive effort. His one habit to monitor is a tendency to leave his feet early when trying to hurdle defenders, which could expose him to some punishing hits in the NFL.
As a receiver and pass protector, Love projects well to the professional game. His ability in the passing game, in particular, was underutilized at the college level. There's a legitimate reason to believe his ceiling as a receiving back expands considerably once he's in an NFL system built to deploy his skillset.
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