Best NFL Draft 2026 RBs: 1 stud, 1 sleeper and 1 'who's that guy?' pick

Jeremiyah Love could hear his name among the first 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. After that, it could be a while before another running back earns his spot on the draft board. Love is the obvious prize in a vast cereal box of tailbacks.

He was the kind of player whose recounting will inspire hushed tones across South Bend, Indiana and in the hearts and minds of folks who own both Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees hats. But unlike Ashton Jeanty in 2025, there won't be an Omarion Hampton ready to go later in the first round. There may not even be a Quinshon Judkins or TreVeyon Henderson following in the top 40 picks.

That doesn't mean there aren't a handful of players who can make a major impact out of the backfield in 2026. Let's take a look at the obvious top dog... and a couple of less heralded backs who could rise to prominence from spots later in the draft.

The stud: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame Over the last two seasons, Love has averaged nearly 110 total yards and more than a touchdown per game. Since this happened at Notre Dame, the vast majority of those performances came against brand name competition. There was a 147-yard, two-touchdown day against Texas A&M.