Where a player is selected in the NFL Draft is about more than talent. Team needs and positional value are extraordinarily important, too, and as such, running backs are often devalued in the draft, slipping even when they’re more talented than those at highly valued positions.
That makes Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love such an interesting player in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is arguably the most talented player available, but at an undervalued position.
Still, ESPN’s Field Yates has him going seventh overall to the Washington Commanders in his latest mock draft. Yates doesn’t have another running back going until 64th overall. Incidentally, that’s Jadarian Price, who also played at Notre Dame. Beyond Yates, in Todd McShay’s most recent mock draft, he has the New York Giants taking Love at fifth overall. That’s his only first-round running back.
Love has even been floated by experts as a possible second overall pick to the New York Jets. Other league intel has it that the Giants, making their choice at fifth overall, will decide where Love goes.
In other words, if you want a sure thing at running back, you need Love. After that, there are going to be major questions at the position.
