Sitting at number eight is an interesting spot in the NFL Draft.
With one game left to go, the New Orleans Saints will look to continue their winning ways with a win over division rival Atlanta before going into the offseason looking to build their roster. Tyler Shough's play has inspired hope and optimism, with many speculating the Saints will look to add pieces around the former Louisville quarterback. Due to New Orleans' win streak, the team may be out of range for Jordyn Tyson to pair with Chris Olave, but at number eight, there will be plenty of offensive talent on the board.
PFF's latest mock draft has the Saints taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at number eight. Now, Sunday's outcome is yet to be determined, as is New Orleans' final draft spot, but let's play along with this scenario.
Dalton Wasserman of PFF explains his reasoning:
"The Saints rank dead last in the NFL in PFF rushing grade and explosive run rate. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, whose 93.4 PFF rushing grade this season led the FBS, could fix that. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry and amassed 39 explosive runs across fewer than 200 carries. His game-breaking speed would bring balance to New Orleans’ pass-heavy offense."
Alvin Kamara is approaching the age limit for NFL running backs, and while the Saints invested in Devin Neal, Love's addition to the fold is a significant game-changer. Of course, there is the argument about drafting running backs too high, but I think the real argument is against re-signing them to lucrative extensions.
Sure, you can find serviceable running backs later in the draft process, but with the chance to draft the best running back in the class and add such a dynamic weapon might be too enticing to pass up for Kellen Moore and his offense.
Love was hands-down the best running back in the country and has the ability to bring the Saints running game back to life. His ability to catch passes is overlooked at times, but adding a playmaker of Love's caliber can reshape the offensive philosophy.
Here's what Damian Parson of Bleacher Report likes about Love as a prospect:
- Love runs with good patience behind the offensive line to maximize their blocks before finding daylight.
- Great combination of top-end speed, agility, and explosiveness, making him a dangerous threat with the football at all times. The defense must close the space between them quickly, or he will hit the sideline in full stride after breaking through the first level.
- Ability to decelerate and re-accelerate to evade incoming defenders and make sudden cuts/change of direction in the open field. He possesses the lateral explosiveness and agility to press a rush lane and jump-cut to evade closing defenders, while working into a vacated space for positive yards.
- Talented receiving skill set out of the backfield. He can be deployed in the slot and run routes in space to create mismatches for the offense.
- Runs behind his pads downhill with good balance to finish plays through contact and fall forward.
- He has been great at protecting the football throughout his career (267 rushing attempts without a fumble).
Moore and the Saints should strongly consider adding Love to their offense.