The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and it’s safe to assume that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will be one of the first players off the board. While the positional value of running backs has been a major talking point in recent seasons, nobody can deny Love’s elite on-field ability. The projected first-round pick is a true three-down threat with elite vision, breakout speed, and the hands and lateral agility to be a legitimate threat in the passing game. In short, he should be a top-10 running back from Day 1, and he has the skillset to be in the running for the NFL’s best back in 2-3 years.
While some may question the wisdom of taking a relatively replaceable position like running back in the top 10, it’s hard to envision him slipping further than that. Chances are, one of these four teams will pull the trigger on a player who could be the focal point of an offense.
Top 4 Jeremiyah Love Draft Destinations, Ranked
4. New York Giants
The New York Giants probably regret letting Saquon Barkley join the Philadelphia Eagles. While the team has a solid starter in fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo, his violent style of play naturally leads to an increased injury list. The Arizona State product only played in eight games as a rookie, and it would probably be best for everyone if he didn’t have a three-down role in 2026. Head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t around when the Giants let Barkley walk, but given how much Derrick Henry helped his Ravens, it’s safe to assume he’d be on board with using a top-five draft pick on Jeremiyah Love.
3. New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is one of the best running backs of his generation, but time comes for us all. The former third-round pick looked like a shell of his former self last year, finishing the season with a career-worst 3.6 yards per carry and just 471 rushing yards. Now entering his age-31 season, Kamara’s best days are likely behind him, and New Orleans must find a new answer at the position. While veteran free agent signee Travis Etienne is more than capable of being an above-average starter, Jeremiyah Love can give this team an elite duo in the backfield, assuming he’s still on the board when the Saints are on the block.
2. Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard has reached 1,000 rushing yards in each of his two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, but he’s not good enough to stop the Titans from selecting Jeremiyah Love in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cam Ward had a rough rookie season, but nobody could have succeeded in such a disastrous environment. Love won’t singlehandedly fix this team’s offense, but he can help put less pressure on the former first-overall pick and help him become Tennessee’s long-awaited answer under center.
1. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders need someone to lead their rushing attack. Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt didn’t live up to the offseason hype last year, and somebody must step up in the backfield. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury left the team because head coach Dan Quinn wanted to put more of an emphasis on running the football, and there’s no better way to do that than by selecting Jeremiyah Love in the 2026 NFL Draft.
