Jeremiyah Love was not supposed to be a top-five lock, but the closer the 2026 NFL Draft gets, the harder it is to find a team willing to pass on him.
Running backs rarely climb this high anymore, especially in a class where teams are still prioritizing premium positions. But Love is being evaluated differently, not as a traditional back, but as a complete offensive piece.
That shift in thinking is what has quietly pushed him into top-five conversations, with multiple teams now treating him as one of the safest and most impactful players in the entire class.
The shift became clearer after EssentiallySports relayed Tony Pauline’s reporting on how Washington views the board near the top of the draft.
“The Washington Commanders presently hold the seventh pick in the draft, and there’s speculation on who they could choose with that selection.
“People close to the organization tell me a pass rusher, wide receiver, and cornerback are in play at No. 7. Most believe the team will not take Caleb Downs if the Ohio State safety is available to them,” Pauline wrote.
He added, “Several people tell me the team will jump all over Jeremiyah Love if he falls into their laps, with the direct quote being, ‘The team loves Love.'”
That framing matters. Teams are not discussing Love as a luxury pick, they are discussing him as a priority option even when other premium positions are available. For a running back to generate that kind of reaction inside a front office, he has to be viewed as more than just productive.
He combines elite burst, receiving ability and pass protection in a way that fits how offenses are now built. He is not just a ball carrier, he is a three-down weapon who can stay on the field in any situation.
That projection becomes clearer when looking at how teams expect him to immediately change an offense, especially one built around a young quarterback.
“He’d be an additional weapon for Jayden Daniels, who’s coming off an injury-plagued season, and would end Washington’s running-back-by-committee approach,” Pauline continued.
“He has the potential to upgrade the offense instantly, but the Commanders can only get him if he makes it out of the top five,” he concluded.
That final point underlines his rise. The conversation is no longer about whether Love belongs in the first round, but whether any team picking outside the top five will even have the chance to draft him.
In a class lacking depth at quarterback and without many universally agreed elite prospects at other positions, Love stands out as one of the few players who combines production, versatility and a clean projection to the next level.
Why NFL scouts believe the 2026 QB class drops off sharply after Fernando Mendoza
Falcons target explosiveness with Chris Brazzle at No. 48
Bears call it competition at left tackle, corner, and safety but the stats say otherwise