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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Jeremiyah Love of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s been a long-running expectation that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is the favorite to be selected by the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now that NFL Draft week has arrived, both accurate and smokescreen reports are arriving in swift fashion. Separating the difference will be difficult until Thursday’s events conclude.
The Arizona Cardinals are now being linked to Love at No. 3 overall, one selection before the Titans’ scheduled pick. “There is growing chatter in league circles that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is in play with Arizona at No. 3 overall,” Adam Schefter reported on Monday morning.
Schefter goes on to claim that the Cardinals would prefer to trade back. If GM Monti Ossenfort can’t identify a trade partner, then Love is among the shortlisted possibilities. “If the Cardinals stick and pick at No. 3, I believe they’ll grab Love,” Todd McShay recently wrote, too.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is going No. 1 overall. The New York Jets will be choosing a pass rusher, either David Bailey or Arvell Reese, at No. 2 overall. If Love goes third to the Cardinals, that would guarantee the Titans an opportunity to select whichever pass rusher (Bailey/Reese) the Jets passed on.
Are we sure that’s not the Titans’ preferred outcome? Robert Saleh is a defensive minded head coach. The Titans don’t have a top-tier EDGE rusher on the roster to play with Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers. EDGE is a more premium position than running back.
The Titans have long been linked to Love. They’d be adding a premium blue-chip talent to play with franchise quarterback Cam Ward. If the Cardinals pull the first NFL Draft surprise by selecting Love, the Titans should remain calm and draft Reese or Bailey, whoever the Jets pass on at No. 2.
