NFL execs believe drafting Jeremiyah Love was Michael Bidwill's decision

[ASFN Admin]

The Arizona Cardinals used their top draft pick, the No. 3 overall selection on running back Jeremiyah Love. That has been met by both praise and questions.

While nobody is questioning the talent or his impact, it is valid to question the value.

In fact, it is such a move that has other executives around the league believing that the selection of Love was really a decision by owner Michael Bidwill.

The Athletic's Mike Sando wrote about what he heard surrounding the draft after its conclusion and multiple executives said that.

“They’re not one piece away, and they put money into (running back) Tyler Allgeier — like, I get why people push back on the Love pick,” one exec said. “But at the same time, ownership is trying to sell tickets, they don’t have a face of the franchise and this guy can fit that bill.”

“Is the roster ready for a running back? Probably not, but there was no real flashing light to pick other than Love,” another exec said. “If the owner wanted the back, like everybody said, that is not a hill you are going to die on as a GM. Love is special.”

Because there were whispers that the potential for drafting Love was a Bidwill move, general manager Monti Ossenfort was asked about Bidwill's involvement in the selection. Ossenfort said Bidwill wasn't part of the decision, "not at all."

Now, in fairness, living to how Ossenfort said it, he seemed to be splitting hairs in terms of the decision. When I heard it, I thought Ossenfort was simply referring to the decision during the draft to take Love.

“Michael (Bidwill) is involved to the point of, he likes to know what's going on. He loves to hear about our process,"Ossenfort said. "He loves to hear about how we have arrived at the board where it's at. He's great at throwing us in a scenario. Well, what if this guy goes? OK, well, then we would do this. So, Michael's been great. He was awesome with letting Mike and I go through our process. and he was engaged as always but really hands off and let us do our job.”

Do we believe it? Maybe, but Ossenfort seemed to answer a little too aggressively to convince people.

If other executives feel the pick was partially to create a buzz and interest, it's hard not to feel like that was the reason.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL execs believe drafting Jeremiyah Love was Michael Bidwill's decision

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