The Cardinals made one of the boldest moves of the draft when they grabbed Jeremiyah Love third overall, but the first depth chart of the year shows Arizona isn’t handing him the backfield on a silver platter.
Love, the Notre Dame running back, came off the board as the highest-selected runner since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. That kind of investment usually comes with a heavy workload waiting in the wings.
Love brings the full package, too: speed, power, balance, elusiveness, plus the ability to protect the quarterback and make plays as a receiver. With bridge quarterback Jacoby Brissett under center, the expectation is that he’ll be a major part of the offense from the jump.
But Mike LaFleur’s first depth chart tells a different story for now. Love was listed as the backup behind Tyler Allgeier, the veteran Arizona brought in on a two-year deal in free agency after piling up 2,876 rushing yards with the Atlanta Falcons, mostly while backing up Bijan Robinson.
Arizona’s backfield picture is crowded beyond those two. James Conner and Trey Benson are also in the mix, and both have starting experience with the Cardinals. The ball will also have to find Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride.
Even with Love slotted behind Allgeier for now, the rookie still looks like a centerpiece in Arizona’s present and future. It’s common for teams to place rookies below veterans on early depth charts, and that’s part of what’s happening here. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Love is the starter by Week 1, with a clear path to being the Cardinals’ primary ball carrier right away.
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Larry Fitzgerald Finally Gets His Moment On Footballs Biggest Stage
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For Arizona fans, Fitzgeralds selection feels like a long-awaited celebration of a career built on production, durability and dignity. The Class of 2026 also carried some notable omissions, with coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft not making the cut, but the spotlight in Canton will still belong to a receiver whose legacy has been obvious for years even before the Hall of Fame made it official. [Read more 🡒]