The Washington Commanders will have a big decision to make when it's time to make their pick with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love continues to be linked to DC
The Jeremiyah Love to the Washington Commanders campaign remains alive and well after a pair of national outlets reiterated the fit once again as the NFL owners meetings wraps up and the 2026 NFL Draft inches closer.
ESPN named the Commanders as the best fit for the Doak Walker Award winner in an article this week analyzing the best fits for draft prospects. Of course, Matt Bowen of ESPN noted the path for Love to become a true lead back in a room that, for now, appears to enter the 2026 season looking to implement a committee approach.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt returns in year two as the home run hitter while Rachaad White adds pass blocking and catching to the unit. Jeremy McNichols also adds that as he returns to the unit after re-signing on a one year deal, while the addition of former Browns running back Jerome Ford elevates the depth to back of the room. But the possibility of Love to DC remains a possibility given the need for a true RB1 in an offense expected to feature the run game in David Blough's under center offense.
Love proved himself as a game-changer, the type of player that head coach Dan Quinn has consistently noted he's looking to add to the roster this offseason, leading to the Notre Dame star drawing buzz as the perfect fit in the 2026 offense. The former Heisman candidate registered at least ten yards on 39 carries in 2025 and is one of three players to post at least seven rushes over 40 yards.
"His volume as a pass catcher should expand in a pro offense. Love could slot into the lead role here, with free agent signing Rachaad White also seeing touches," ESPN noted.
But the question is whether he will be available when it comes time for Washington to make their pick.
Some mock drafts have projected Love to land either fourth or fifth overall to the Tennessee Titans or New York Giants, but some have also slotted him to DC. CBS Sports noted that Washington "may actually be Love's floor" while noting both the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs could field trade calls should the Commanders go in a different direction.
Of course, if Washington turns to Love with the first pick, the bigger question will then turn to what the plan is at wide receiver, also a pressing need. LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs also both fit key positions with a chance to drastically upgrade the secondary as general manager Adam Peters navigates through his six draft picks in this month's draft.