Drafting running backs early in the first round has gone in and out of fashion over the last decade. From 2015 to 2018, six running backs were selected within the first 15 picks; since then, only three have been taken that high, all in the last three drafts.
2026 prospect Jeremiyah Love could be the fourth with apparent interest from multiple teams with top-10 selections. He visited the Titans at the beginning of March (via NFL insider Jordan Schultz) and the Giants this past weekend (also via Schultz).
The hype train for Love took off at the Combine in Indianapolis, where his 4.36-second 40-yard dash and smooth hands and footwork in pass-catching drills attracted the attention of several teams.
“The NFL loves Jeremiyah Love,” NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe said in early March. “I spoke with execs for three different teams who said that Jeremiyah Love is the best player in this draft. The Notre Dame running back should go in the top 10, and the word I’m hearing, don’t be surprised if he goes in the top five.”
Selecting a running back with such a high pick will no doubt draw criticism based on positional value. Running backs earn significantly less than other positions like wide receiver and edge rusher that have a more direct impact on the passing game. Ashton Jeanty, taken with the No. 6 pick last year, immediately became the NFL’s 12th-most expensive running back, per OverTheCap, greatly reducing the financial advantage offered by rookie contracts.
Taking Love in the top 10 would result in a similar inefficiency. A top-five selection would result in the most guaranteed money ever for a running back being handed to a rookie before he plays a single down in the pros.
However, as Wolfe notes, the 2026 draft class is viewed as thin on truly elite prospects. Love is one of the few, so rather than pursue a less talented player at a more valuable position, teams could opt to land a potential game-changing running back with the hopes that he can have a similar impact as Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs have in Atlanta and Detroit, respectively.
NYG chose Danny Dimes over Barkley. Bad mistake.
Thanks for the reminder. 🙄
Jones will be around after Barkley is long gone
Being a sub 500 QB. Is that a compliment to him?
no, but that’s not all his fault. He’s a decent QB, all things being equal
He had one partially good season, last year. Otherwise he’s done nothing but milk teams out of money.
and yet he gets paid again. Obviously teams see things in this guy. And ’22 was solid, considering the top WR that yr was Richie James. Like I said, he’s decent. You get paid for being a decent starting QB in this league, even if it’s an overpay
G Minshew also gets paid. He’s close to 30. Lots of sub par QB’s in the league. The Colts, like the Giants, will lose w/ Dan at QB.
Bust loading…
Why is he visiting the Giants? Do they need another young RB draft pick?
There are no guarantees but this guy sure seems like he can play. Unique talent, fascinating case.
Taking him that high for either team would be malpractice.