After the Arizona Cardinals made Jeremiah Love the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, many feel like he is the early favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. After all, running backs typically don't have as steep a learning curve as some of their peers.
While Love isn't your average running back prospect, he's also entering a pretty stacked backfield that also includes two-time Pro Bowler James Connor and Tyler Allger, who recorded over 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie in 2022 and signed a $12.5 million contract with the Cardinals this offseason.
Love is expected to claim the Cardinals' starting running back job, but Connor and Allger will certainly still be in the mix. His presence may diminish Love's impact in his rookie season.
Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer believes Love's low workload makes him an outside bet to win the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. This was his response when asked which rookie would make the biggest impact as a rookie.
"The Cardinals try to build their offense around him, the running back position quickly transitions from college to pro, and he's a really good player. But I'd be a little patient on him, I'd bet Arizona will try not to overuse him, James Conner and Tyler Allger are in that backfield as well."
SI's Albert Breer on Jeremiah Love
While Love will likely return, he will have to share some of the workload, unless the Cardinals plan to trade or cut Connor and/or Alger. Nevertheless, a partnership with Alger is unlikely, given that he only signed his contract in March. With less stuff to go around, it may take a year or two for Love to become the superstar that many envision.
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