Edge rusher Bain Jr. or electrifying running back Love? The Saints face a monumental draft decision at No. 8, weighing explosive talent against long-term defensive impact.
The NFL draft is approaching, and the New Orleans Saints have probably already narrowed down who they would be willing to draft at No. 8. Tiering those prospects could be one of the more difficult tasks they have over the next few months.
One dueling decision is that of whether or not to take an elite edge rusher or perhaps the best player in the draft that happens to play running back. We are of course talking about Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
It's really not up for much debate which side of the football needs the most attention in the draft. The defense carried the Saints for much of the season while the offense had to earn about every yard it got in 2025. The level of effort the team put into offense is probably less than optimal, and certainly they would like the unit to function more seamlessly. Enter Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Love is an explosive running back with over 1,300 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and six of 12 games with a 40-yard carry or longer in 2025 for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. And while it continues to trend toward a no-brainer draft decision to add the talented running back, it still may have some holding out on the decision.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) scrambles with the ball under pressure by Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images"Running backs don't add much value" has become an outdated phrase as difficult as it is to believe. It would be better put, "Most starting running backs don't add much more value than the next starting running back." Like an Aaron Donald at defensive tackle, impact players make a difference at whatever position they play. But what about impact players at positions that inherently have a larger effect on the game? Enter Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr.
Bain carried Miami into relevance all the way to a national title for the first time since the early 2000s. And while many would argue that Love is clearly a better player at his position than Bain, it's not as far apart as some would suggest.
What it really amounts to is how the Saints value longevity vs. peak performance years. Love may be the best at his position for three seasons, but only an elite player for eight years. Bain may barely crack to Top 8-10 edge rushers but stay there for 12 seasons. That is what makes the decision such a tough one for New Orleans at the eighth pick.
So, who do the Saints draft if both are available at No. 8? They'll provide us that answer in the spring.