Arizona's Draft Gamble: Love Over Defense

0:00It's April 24th, you're listening to NFL News Today, AI-powered football coverage. I'm Corey with The Story. Arizona Cardinals drop jaws on Draft Night, snagging Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love at 3rd overall. That marks the highest pick for running back since Sequan Barkley went second back in 2019. Rumors swirled about Love to Arizona, but few saw this coming after they tried trading back without luck. Their ground game ranked 31st last season, scraping just 93 rushing yards per game. Only the Raiders lagged worse at 78 yards. Still, folks' question of love fixes their core issues or just adds flash. Critics point to Las Vegas, who grabbed the top running back six overall last year in a similar spot. It backfired hard, they won just three games, fired their rookie head coach, and landed the first pick this time around. Arizona risks the same slide-chasing offense over defense. Love's rookie contract hits about 13.5 million a year, with 54 million fully guaranteed the most for any back. That cash could

1:05have bought an elite edge rusher or tackle instead. Positions where they desperately need starters like a right tackle. Plenty of defenders and linemen sat there at three, but they went luxury. Love will ball out eventually, yet for a squad rebuilding, this feels like betting big on sparkle over substance, hoping they don't regret passing on real fixes.