Don't draft a RB early? How Jeremiyah Love challenges NFL draft taboo
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love is a top NFL draft prospect and a future "difference-maker" for a team in the first round. How high will he be picked?
As the week of the 2026 NFL draft commenced, ESPN's Adam Schefter offered insight into the range of picks running back Jeremiyah Love could hear his name called during the first round Thursday. According to Schefter, the Arizona Cardinals – picking third overall – are having "exploratory" calls regarding the possibility of trading down. Arizona could also pull off the first surprise of the draft, according to Schefter, by sticking at No.
3 and handing in a card with Love's name on it. The Notre Dame product is considered a top-three player based on talent in the draft, with NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah putting him second in his final pre-draft rankings. Most mock drafts have him going in the top five.
Love's wait will not last long. Between the Cardinals picking third, the Tennessee Titans fourth, the New York Giants at No. 5 and the Washington Commanders seventh, Love's professional destination is somewhat predetermined – unless another team, with perhaps a better situation for a young running back to enter, wants to move up.
“If he got past 10, it would be shocking,” Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis told USA TODAY Sports. “I think he should go in the first six picks, but if he’s there at 11, somebody needs to give all of their picks up to go up and get him, because he is a difference-maker. You can’t say that about a lot of running backs.
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