Jeremiyah Love: ‘There’s a lot of talk about me going to the Cardinals’

The Jeremiyah Love talk continues to grow as the NFL Draft closes in, especially when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals.

And just like most of us, the Notre Dame running back has heard all about it.

“I have no idea where I’m going, but there’s a lot of talk about me going to the Cardinals, Titans, Giants,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“Honestly, I’d be blessed to go anywhere and bring my talents anywhere. … Whatever team I go to, I’m going to make them better.”

Love landing with the Cardinals at No. 3 overall has been a main talking point this past week.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter stoked the fire on Monday, saying there’s “growing chatter in league circles that Love is truly in play” for Arizona at No. 3.

In ESPN analyst Peter Schrager’s final mock draft of the offseason published Wednesday, he paired Arizona with the Notre Dame running back with the pick.

There’s little doubt Love will translate well at the next level. His rushing ability tracks after posting at least 17 rushing touchdowns, 1,125 yards and 6.9 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons at Notre Dame.

Last year was the All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist’s best, with 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries. He caught 27 passes for 280 yards and three more scores.

“I don’t know if they go there but I would say it’d be a great move,” NFL.com’s Charles Davis told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Wednesday. “You don’t draft because you want your fans to jump up and down at a draft party. But you also don’t draft not to give them some juice.

“(This) fanbase needs juice in a big way. … He gives me Christian McCaffrey vibes.”

There are, however, a few red flags that come up with a potential Love-Cardinals pairing.

The big one that stands out is Arizona’s current roster construction. On top of previously addressing the running backs room through free agency and revising James Conner’s contract, the Cardinals also need an upgrade along the right side of the offensive line.

One way to accomplish that is utilizing the No. 3 pick on an offensive tackle prospect or moving down the draft order and doing something similar.

There’s also the money side of things. If Love goes No. 3 overall, his contract will carry an average annual value of $12.5 million. That would be good enough for the seventh-highest mark among NFL running backs before even taking a snap.

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