The Arizona Cardinals just sent a message to the entire NFL: running backs are back. By selecting Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick, the Cardinals made him the highest-drafted RB since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 in 2018. That's not just draft positioning—it's a philosophical statement about how teams value the position in 2026.
For the Patriots, this is worth watching closely. Mike Vrabel's offense has always respected the ground game, and with Rhamondre Stevenson anchoring the backfield alongside depth pieces like Deneric Prince, Elijah Mitchell, and TreVeyon Henderson, New England's running back room is built for complementary football. Love's elite athleticism and draft capital in Arizona won't change what the Patriots are doing, but it does validate the league's growing willingness to invest premium picks at a position that got devalued for years. That's a tailwind for any team—like ours—that still believes in running the football effectively.
The real takeaway here isn't about envying Arizona's pick. It's about recognizing that the pendulum is swinging back. When you have a QB like Drake Maye developing behind center and a ground game anchored by proven talent, you're not trying to out-athlete Cincinnati or Kansas City in a shootout. You're trying to control games the way Vrabel teams have always won: methodical, physical, and relentless on first and second down. Love going third overall means the market for elite backs is heating up again. Good. That validates New England's approach and gives us confidence that our current roster construction—heavy on depth at RB and committed to the run—is built for the right reasons.
Cardinals offensive coordinator work starts now. But for the Patriots? We can watch and appreciate the philosophy without envy. We've got our guys.
Based on reporting from ESPN NFL.