With elite options potentially available with the seventh overall pick, could the Washington Commanders turn to former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love?
The 2026 NFL Draft does not begin for another month with the first round set to begin on Thursday, April 23 with a chance for the Washington Commanders to add another playmaker. What side of the ball that will come has remained an ongoing question with options available for general manager Adam Peters, who enters the draft with limited draft capital.
While buzz has pointed back to Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate as a realistic option given the lack of true second top option opposite of veteran Terry McLaurin, another position drew buzz on Monday.
Adam Schefter of ESPN pointed to the Commanders as a "place that makes sense" for former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, also noting he doesn't see either the Tennessee Titans or New York Giants as big players for the former Heisman candidate with the fourth and fifth overall pick.
Washington has made moves at the position this offseason after signing both Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency, while re-signing Jeremy McNichols for another season to pair with Jacory Croskey-Merritt heading into his second season. But the role of an alpha dog is missing in the room with the current makeup pointing to a committee approach in year one of the David Blough offense - and a critical year three of the Dan Quinn era.
Whether seven is too high to take a running back is the next question, though wide receiver would still enter the rest of the offseason with intrigue. Of course, the looming question remains if and when Brandon Aiyuk's release materializes with the 49ers holding on as the Commanders are viewed as the overwhelming team to acquire him in 2026.
But Love could be the game changer the Commanders' offense needs in a David Blough offense that is expected to feature the rushing attack to set up play action, a selection that insulates quarterback Jayden Daniels with more talent at the skill position.
Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic also reported that the Commanders would have "no reason to hesitate in grabbing" the former Notre Dame star if he remains available at seven.
Love is coming off a junior season where he was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy while he was named both a unanimous All American and the Doak Walker Award winner, handed to the nation's best running back. He was the only player to rank inside the top three nationally in scoring, total touchdown and yards from scrimmage through the regular season after rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries.
While the addition of both White and Ford add a receiving element to the backfield, so does Love after adding 280 yards and three touchdowns on 27 catches.
In a season filled with highlights, one of them came in late November after posting three touchdowns and 171 rushing yards - on eight carries - en route to a 70-7 win against Syracuse.
Plenty can change with a question whether the Commanders will make any moves to add draft capital given Peters and the front office have just two picks inside the top 100, but after addressing some needs and bolstering depth through free agency, a move like Love at seven could become a reality for the Commanders ahead of a revamped offensive style.