Cards Shock Draft: Love’s Speed Ignites Arizona’s Future

Cards Shock Draft: Love’s Speed Ignites Arizona’s Future

The Arizona Cardinals might be doing something a bit wild in the NFL Draft, and it’s all about making a splash. While most teams would never use the third overall pick on a running back, especially when thinking about money and building a strong team, the Cardinals could be looking at it. It just doesn’t make sense on paper to start with a running back so high, not when you need to protect your quarterback with a solid offensive line, like the Raiders learned with Ashton Gentty last year.

There are plenty of good reasons why teams avoid this move. But the Cardinals, under their new head coach from the Los Angeles Rams, are looking to shake up their offense.

They already have Trey McBride, a great tight end who had an amazing season last year but isn’t a household name across the country. Plus, the Cardinals often play in the later game slots on Sundays, meaning they aren’t always the most talked-about team in town.

Picking Jeremiah Love could change that. He’s not just a good player; he’s incredibly exciting and dynamic.

This kind of talent can make fans pay attention and get excited about the team again. While 29 other teams would likely pass on a running back at pick number three, the Cardinals might see something special here.

Why Love Makes Sense for Arizona

The Cardinals are in a unique spot. For a while now, the most famous player associated with the team has been Larry Fitzgerald, and he hasn’t played in six years. That’s a long time for a team to rely on the memory of a former star for recognition.

Bringing in a player like Jeremiah Love, who is known for his speed and big-play ability, could give the Cardinals a new face of the franchise. It’s about more than just the game on the field; it’s about creating buzz and giving fans someone new to cheer for. Even if it means dealing with salary cap issues down the road, the immediate impact could be worth the gamble.

The Financial Side of Things

Drafting a running back so high does raise questions about the salary cap. Running backs often have shorter careers and can be expensive, especially when picked early. Teams usually want to spend their top money on quarterbacks, offensive linemen, or star defensive players who can impact the game for a long time.

However, the Cardinals might believe Love’s talent is so rare that it justifies the financial risk. They could be planning to build around him and make the money work. It’s a bold strategy that shows they are serious about turning the team around and making them exciting to watch again.

What This Means Going Forward

If the Cardinals do draft Jeremiah Love, it signals a clear shift in their team-building philosophy. They would be prioritizing explosive playmakers and immediate excitement over traditional, more conservative draft strategies. This could energize the fanbase and make the Cardinals a must-watch team, even if they are not yet Super Bowl contenders.

The move would also put pressure on the rest of the roster to perform. With a dynamic new weapon like Love, the expectations for the offense would rise.

It will be fascinating to see how the Cardinals manage the financial implications and how Love fits into their new offensive system. The Cardinals are set to pick third overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Source: Peter Schrager explains why Jeremiyah Love can be a good fit for the Cardinals (YouTube)