Washington or Bust? NFL Insiders Agree on Jeremiyah Love’s Draft Floor

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire NFL draft, and one perhaps poised to make as big of an immediate impact as any in the draft. 

But with the running back position one seen as increasingly transient, and some of the recent running backs selected in the top 10 unable to experience any playoff glory with the teams that selected them, it’s made pegging where Love lands a tricky proposition.

Some NFL general managers believe he is in play as high as the second-overall pick with Tennessee, and despite the running position being devalued in terms of how teams spend on them over the last decade, Love is seen as someone who could help put a team over the top as a rookie if he lands in the right spot. 

As a pure football player, every evaluator SportsBoom have spoken to believed he was one of the top 10 talents in the draft, but that doesn’t guarantee a selection that high.

Will Love’s Position Work Against Him?

There will definitely be a run on pass rushers at the top of the draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza is destined to go first overall, and an offensive lineman or two, invariably, will go in the top 10-12 picks. 

Some have linked Love to the Giants at fifth overall, though their failure to capitalise on Saquon Barkley after taking him in the top 10 has led many personnel execs to doubt they would go that route again. 

The draft is still weeks away, and trades could certainly alter how things are staked at the top of the draft, but two long-time personnel execs agreed on where they though the floor was for Love, a player who is seen with he potential to make a difference on every down and a strong enough route runner and receiver to line up in the slot on passing downs.

“If he gets passed Washington at seven somebody (screwed) up,” one longtime evaluator said. 

“He’s exactly what that offense needs. The best thing they can do for that quarterback (Jayden Daniels) is to take Love if he’s there… I don’t want to hear that shit about it’s too high to take a running back. Bijan (Robinson) went 8 and Saquon was worth the pick and (Christian) McCaffrey was a top 10 picks. I wouldn’t have taken the running back (Ashton Jeanty) as high as Vegas did last year, but this kid is a better football player.”

Another longtime exec said: “I think Washington is the floor. The draft is about supply and demand and who really needs a running back. The GM (Adam Peters) comes from San Francisco. They made the trade for McCaffrey.”

Scouts rave about Love’s character and love of football, and while there may be no such thing as a completely safe pick, he comes pretty close. 

The Commanders are currently +250 to select Love, and some in the industry believe Washington could be inclined to move up a spot or two to secure his rights.