Jeremiyah Love is easily the top running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft and a potential top-5 overall pick. But the first day of NFL free agency complicates the market on Love’s potential landing.
A dynamic Notre Dame running back, Love has a versatile skill set that makes him desirable at the next level. He’s in the same league of prospects and potentially game-changing talents as recent top-12 picks Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Finding a team with a desperate need for a running back, a need desperate enough to draft Love that high, has become much more difficult since his first hour in free agency.
A signature that excludes love
One of the teams often linked to Love in mock draft projections is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs quenched their thirst for a high-end RB by agreeing to sign Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to a three-year free agent contract worth $45 million. That would seem to rule out the Chiefs using the ninth overall pick on Love.
Another common prediction for Love is the Arizona Cardinals with the third overall pick. Arizona is in the midst of a drastic overhaul after ditching QB Kyler Murray and changing its coaching staff. New coach Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals brought in free agent RB Tyler Allgeier on a two-year contract worth up to $16 million. Arizona also restructured to bring veteran RB James Conner back in 2026.
These two moves may not stop the Cardinals from taking Love, but with Hall remaining at more important positions (offensive tackle, defensive end, safety), it’s harder to see the running back as a priority. The same goes for running backs, who are even highly regarded by Love.
Love needs and value issues
That’s a potential problem for love. Other teams still in need of running backs also have a noticeable need higher up the NFL food (and salary) chain. Let’s take the Tennessee Titans, who hold the No. 4 pick, as an example.
Love would be a fantastic fit for 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward as the Titans attempt to climb out of the AFC South cellar. But Tennessee also desperately needs at least one starting interior offensive lineman, an impact pass rusher and a linebacker (or two) more than it needs to replace talented veteran Tony Pollard as its starting running back.
New York? New Orleans?
The same goes for the New York Jets, who committed to RB Breece Hall earlier this offseason. It seems highly unlikely that the Jets, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, will load up on running backs. Their on-field teammates, the New York Giants, have big needs for a right guard, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker even after picking No. 5 and signing former Bears standout Tremaine Edmunds. New Orleans, which ranked eighth, signed Travis Etienne to a $52 million deal, which also dampened potential interest in Love.
On the first day of free agency, Jeremiah Love has already taken out two chairs on the market. How many more seats will be left once the free agency frenzy subsides? It could be the difference between Love hearing his name called among the first five picks and having to wait uncomfortably until he’s a teenager when the NFL draft begins in Pittsburgh in late April.
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