NFL draft's most head-scratching picks: Jeremiyah Love move comes at huge cost
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NFL draft's most head-scratching picks: Jeremiyah Love move comes at huge cost
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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6 min read
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EveryNFL draftclass has a way of quickly laying waste to long-held expectations.
All the rankings, projections and mock drafts that fill out the monthslong pre-draft process tend to quickly fall by the wayside once the picks start coming in. And whenthis year's first roundbegan on Thursday, April 23, inPittsburgh, it didn't take long for the pre-draft narratives to fade away as the order took shape.
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Still, some moves left teams' decision-makers subject to some justified second-guessing.
When word first began trickling out this week that the Cardinals were zeroing in on Love, it seemed like classic pre-draft misdirection.
How could a team that lacked any sort of resolution along its front or behind center skip ahead in a roster build and take a top-tier running back? With Arizona also broadcasting its interest in trading back, perhaps the team was simply trying to gin up interest in a deal that would better position the front office to take an offensive tackle later in the order.
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No smokescreen here. Now, a team not far along in its reset finds itself in possession of a ball carrier who enters the league as one of the highest-priced players at his position.
On its face, that's bad business in an event in which teams typically mine for cost-controlled young talent at premium positions.
But the decision becomes even harder to square when accounting for the Cardinals' current offensive composition. Yes, Arizona finished 31st in rushing last year and couldn't generate the explosive plays for which Love has become known. But a rookie back alone has exceedingly little control over fixing a ground game on his own, as theRaiders' woes withAshton Jeantylast year reinforced. Some might tout Love as a supposed all-purpose "offensive weapon," but how much additional value can he provide to an attack that already runs throughTrey McBrideand should be bringing alongMarvin Harrison Jr.andMichael Wilson? And withJacoby Brissettset to return as the starting quarterback, running room might be tough to come by.
Good thing Love has mastered the hurdle in the open field. He's probably going to need it.
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Love very well could become a highly productive back. Still, there might not have been a team in the top 10 in a worse position to take advantage of what he can offer. This felt like a dessert-first kind of move for a roster suffering from malnutrition.
When the Rams secured this pick from the Falcons a year ago, it seemed as though it might provide a prime opportunity for Sean McVay and Les Snead to secure a successor toMatthew Stafford. Then, the quarterback class thinned out to Fernando Mendoza and little else. And along the way,Los Angelesaffirmed its commitment to gearing its resources toward another Super Bowl run for the reigning NFL MVP.
In some respects,Simpson is a sensible solutionfor a team that lacked a transition plan behind center. The Alabama signal-caller displays the clean footwork one would expect of a coach's son, and his lack of experience (15 starts) won't prove as troublesome in a situation where he can sit and wait for a year or more.
But the fit here is still strange in myriad other ways. At 6-1 and 211 pounds with arm strength that's middling at best, Simpson profiles as a physically limited offensive catalyst. Pursuing and embracing Stafford as the team's triggerman was a direct effort to move outside of that box.
Maybe this works out and the Rams avoid the rebuild phase that so many other contenders have to endure. But the Rams might feel themselves bumping up against Simpson's ceiling not long after he takes over, and the opportunity cost here was significant.
The NFL Draftregularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.
See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.
Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Carnell Tate of Ohio State shakes hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell celebrates after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Mansoor Delane of LSU hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected sixth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Sonny Styles of Ohio State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
1/6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
The NFL Draftregularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.
See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.
Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
1/6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
The NFL Draftregularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.
See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.
Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
2/6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
3/6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Carnell Tate of Ohio State shakes hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell celebrates after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
4/6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Mansoor Delane of LSU hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected sixth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
5/6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Sonny Styles of Ohio State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
6/6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Equipping Brian Flores with a 6-6, 327-pound missile off the line of scrimmage might seem like a surefire way for Minnesota's defense to up its chaos quotient. Ultimately, the move might end up doing that in the wrong way.
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When he's healthy and locked in, Banks is easily the most talented and disruptive defensive tackle in this class. He's a load for any offensive tackle to keep at bay, and he's nimble enough to put himself in position to finish off plays in the backfield rather than just throw them off course.
Part of the problem: He rarely actually does so, with missed tackles an all-too-common problem. That's just one facet of the inconsistency that has come to define Banks' game. His subpar hand usage and leverage also allow less athletically gifted opponents to neutralize him without much trouble. And with two significant foot injuries sidelining him for much of the last year, his ability to stay on the field will loom large over his pro future.
Miami's new regime literally went big with its first pick.
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At 6-7 and 352 pounds, Proctor is a truly mountainous blocker. He can eradicate opponents in both the run game and aerial attack when everything is truly clicking for him.
This past season, however, laid bare what happens when there are lapses. Proctor can easily get out of sync, allowing defenders to snake past him. His weight management has also been a point of contention in his career, and former Alabama coach Nick Saban raised some eyebrows with his pre-draft remark that Proctor was "not really a self-starter."
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan this offseason cited left tacklePatrick Pauland centerAaron Breweras two of the core pieces in the Dolphins' rebuild. He might envision Proctor as a third along the front, but he's nowhere near reliable enough to earn consideration as such right out of the gate.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses on the red carpet before the2026 NFL Draftat Point State Park.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Carnell Tate of Ohio State.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Kayden McDonald of Ohio State.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Francis Mauigoa of Miami.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Arvell Reese of Ohio State.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Mansoor Delane of LSU.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Dillon Thieneman of Oregon.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson poses on the red carpet.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Colton Hood of Tennessee.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
Kadyn Proctor of Alabama arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses on the red carpet before the2026 NFL Draftat Point State Park.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
1/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses on the red carpet before the2026 NFL Draftat Point State Park.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
2/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Carnell Tate of Ohio State.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
3/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Kayden McDonald of Ohio State.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
4/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Francis Mauigoa of Miami.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
5/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Arvell Reese of Ohio State.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
6/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Mansoor Delane of LSU.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
7/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Dillon Thieneman of Oregon.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
8/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
9/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson poses on the red carpet.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
10/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
11/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Colton Hood of Tennessee.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
12/12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Kadyn Proctor of Alabama arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Take this as a vote of confidence in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to get the most out of a player who's yet to fully deliver.
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While drawing double teams and operating in a capacity that didn't always position him to make plays, Woods showed sporadic flashes of promise early in his career at Clemson. That led many to bill him as a potential top-five pick entering the 2025 campaign. Then, things went sideways for Woods and his teammates, as he and the rest of the defense didn't take the step forward so many had envisioned for them.
Woods can be utilized more effectively at the next level by Spagnuolo, who can be a force multiplier on stunts. But the Chiefs were due for true difference-makers along the defensive line, and they looked well-situated to grab one with either of their two first-round picks. With his short arms and lack of development as a pass rusher, Woods doesn't clear that bar.
