Highest-drafted RBs since 2000: How Jeremiyah Love can join Saquon Barkley, Reggie Bush, more in select company originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Running backs, across NFL history, have not been one of the more valued positions — both in free agency and in the draft.
Considering that most data will show an average running back can produce well behind a dominant offensive line, most teams invest their largest contracts on quarterbacks, receivers, defensive lineman or offensive lineman. But there are exceptions to that philosophy of not using premiere draft picks on a running back, especially when a special prospect comes around.
In 2026, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love — simultaneously viewed as one of the most electric and safest players available — is expected to become a top-10 pick, if not a top-5 selection. Should that happen, he'd join an exclusive list full of elite running backs in the 21st century who were drafted with a high slot.
Here's a look at the highest-drafted running backs in the NFL since 2000.
Since 2000, there have been 17 running backs to go in the top-10 of the NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens took the first running back in the 2000 NFL Draft, selecting Tennessee's Jamal Lewis.
Lewis would spent seven years as a Raven, contributing to a Super Bowl title in his rookie year — he became the youngest player to play in and win a Super Bowl. He also had some outstanding seasons in the NFL, with 2,066 yards on the ground in 2003, which remains the third-most in a single season, named the Offensive Player of the Year.
.@Jamal31Lewis ran with authority 💪📺: #BALvsCLE -- TONIGHT 8:15pm ET on ESPN📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/Zmx3l2a6LT
In 2012, Lewis was inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor. He was also a one-time First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2003, later spending time with the Browns.
There were two top-10 running backs in 2000, with the Arizona Cardinals also selecting Virginia's Thomas Jones at No. 7.
Jones didn't wind up becoming a star in Arizona, but he would have five career 1,000-yard seasons between the Bears and Jets from 2005-09. When he retired, he was among the top-25 rushers in NFL history, with a 2008 Pro Bowl selection and over 10,000 rushing yards in total.
Jones played for the Cardinals, Buccaneers, Bears, Jets and Chiefs from 2000 to 2011.
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The Chargers are certainly thrilled with how this selection panned out. LaDainian Tomlinson, coming out of TCU, went No. 5 in the 2001 Draft, then went on to become an MVP and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
LaDainian Tomlinson at TCU. @LT_21 (1997-00) pic.twitter.com/dlRHo9cR8Z
Over 11 NFL seasons, including nine with the Chargers, Tomlinson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection, and a two-time rushing champion. In 2006, he had one of the greatest single seasons by a running back, winning MVP after breaking the record for touchdowns in a single season (31) and rushing for more than 1,800 yards.
In all but one of his nine seasons with the Chargers, Tomlinson topped 1,000 rushing yards. “L.T.” was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 and is regarded as one of the best running backs ever.
After Alex Smith went No. 1 to the 49ers in 2005, the Miami Dolphins selected a running back, taking Auburn’s Ronnie Brown — who shared carries for the Tigers with another top-five pick that year.
As a rookie, Brown became Miami’s starting back after a Ricky Williams suspension, and by 2006, he was the featured back, rushing for more than 1,000 yards.