Jeremiyah Love: The 2026 NFL Draft’s Most Explosive Backfield Weapon?
Jeremiyah Love isn’t just knocking on the NFL’s door - he’s sprinting toward it. After a season that saw him finish as the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up and take home the Doak Walker Award, all signs point to the Notre Dame star declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
If he does, he’ll instantly become one of the most electric offensive prospects available. If he doesn’t?
Well, that’s a massive win for the Fighting Irish and another year of waiting for NFL teams eager to get their hands on a back built for today’s game.
Love is the kind of talent that makes front offices rethink their draft boards. With a skill set that draws comparisons to Detroit Lions standout Jahmyr Gibbs, Love is a true home-run hitter every time he touches the ball. He’s not just a burner - he’s a back with vision, patience, and the kind of suddenness that leaves defenders grabbing at air.
A Complete Back With Game-Breaking Tools
Love’s 2025 campaign didn’t start with fireworks, but once he found his rhythm, he reminded everyone why he was one of the top players in the country the year before. He racked up 1,372 rushing yards and found the end zone 18 times on the ground, cementing himself as not just the best running back prospect in this class, but one of the most dynamic offensive players overall.
What sets Love apart is how complete his game is. He’s not just a between-the-tackles grinder or a gadget guy in space - he’s both.
He’s got that rare combination of vision and burst that lets him find daylight and hit it before defenders can react. And once he’s in the open field?
Good luck catching him.
NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. summed it up well, comparing Love to Reggie Bush - a player whose college dominance redefined the position. Kiper noted that Love forced 60 missed tackles this season, a testament to his balance, strength, and agility.
But it’s not just the ground game where he shines. Love’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield - and even line up wide - gives offensive coordinators a chess piece to move around the board.
A McCaffrey-Like Ceiling?
The Reggie Bush comp makes sense stylistically, but NFL teams will be hoping for a career arc more like Christian McCaffrey’s. Love has that kind of potential - a true three-down back who can carry an offense both on the ground and through the air. In today’s NFL, versatility is everything, and Love brings it in spades.
He’s projected to go somewhere in the top 10 to 15 picks of the 2026 draft, and for good reason. He’s the kind of player who can immediately transform an offense - not just by putting up stats, but by changing how defenses have to game-plan.
Let’s take a look at three teams that could be in prime position to land him.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have some decisions to make this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But if Jeremiyah Love is still on the board when they pick, it’ll be hard to pass up a weapon like him.
Minnesota is in the process of building around second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and adding a dynamic back like Love could take a lot of pressure off the young signal-caller. The Vikings already have playmakers on the outside - Love would give them a legitimate threat in the backfield who can also be a factor in the passing game.
It’s a classic case of best player available vs. team need, and in this case, the best player might also be the best fit. The Vikings could address defense later in the draft or through free agency, but grabbing a game-changer like Love could elevate the entire offense.
Other first-round options for Minnesota: Jermod McCoy (CB), Caleb Downs (S), Sonny Styles (LB)
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona’s 2025 season didn’t go according to plan, and now there’s a major question mark at quarterback. Whether the Cardinals decide to move on from Kyler Murray or stick with him, they’ll need to add pieces around the QB position - and Jeremiyah Love fits that bill perfectly.
If they keep Murray, Love becomes a safety valve and a playmaker who can take pressure off the passing game. If they move on and bring in a new quarterback, Love offers the kind of support system that can help ease the transition. Either way, he adds instant credibility to an offense that struggled to find its rhythm this season.
James Conner’s season-ending foot injury in Week 3 opened the door for Arizona to rethink their backfield. Love wouldn’t just fill that void - he’d kick it wide open.
Other first-round options for Arizona: Dante Moore (QB), Makai Lemon (WR), Spencer Fano (T)
Washington Commanders
The Commanders took a step back in 2025, but they’re still in a position to bounce back quickly - especially with Jayden Daniels expected to return healthy in 2026. Pairing Daniels with a dual-threat back like Love could be the spark this offense needs to reassert itself in the NFC East.
Love offers the kind of versatility that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury can get creative with. Whether it’s running inside, bouncing outside, catching screens, or lining up in the slot, Love gives Washington a Swiss Army knife in the backfield. He’s a legitimate RB1 from day one, and he could be the missing piece that helps Daniels and the offense take the next step.
Final Thoughts
Jeremiyah Love isn’t just a highlight reel waiting to happen - he’s a complete, polished, and explosive back ready to make an impact at the next level. Whether it’s Minnesota, Arizona, Washington, or another team that makes the call, they’re not just getting a running back. They’re getting a difference-maker.
If he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, expect Love to be one of the first offensive skill players off the board - and don’t be surprised if he’s making noise in the league from the moment he steps on the field.