Jeremiah's surprising No. 8 pick for the Saints: a dynamic running back, Love, ignites debate over positional value versus elite playmaking.
The New Orleans Saints are set to make an impactful draft pick with the No. 8 selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. The team is looking to improve on a 6-11 season after finishing the year with four wins in its final five games.
Draft scouts and experts continue to make their picks for the Saints and other NFL teams. One draft pick has New Orleans making a surprising but increasingly more popular pick with the No. 8 selection.
Former NFL scout for the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens in Daniel Jeremiah made his picks for the first round. He has the Saints drafting Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love with the following reasoning.
"I love -- no pun intended -- the idea of pairing Tyler Shough with the most electric playmaker in the draft."
Without question, Love adds an explosive threat in the run game for a New Orleans offense that needs to improve. Still, as we have discussed at length, drafting a running back in the Top 10 carries its own risks. That's especially true for teams that are not on the cusp of competing for or winning the Super Bowl. Maybe the Saints are there right now, but maybe they're not. Therein lies the risk.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) is a pass blocker by the New York Jets during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesWhat's so dangerous about drafting a running back early? Put simply, running back careers tend to be shorter than the average position. And if a career is not cut short, the running back's effectiveness might be diminished.
Mileage takes a toll on a ball carrier, and Love's carries may have to be managed to prolong his NFL career. Moreover, it's not ideal to put limits on a Top 10 pick while trying to maximize on field success while quarterback Tyler Shough is on a rookie contract.
The players that Jeremiah has falling past the Saints make the pick even more potentially frustrating. The former scout has elite Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., star safety Caleb Downs and explosive wide receiver Makai Lemon all drafted after New Orleans' No. 8 pick.
With the possibility of adding a pro bowl edge rusher in Bain and star receiver in Lemon, drafting a running back may not go over well with Saints fans.
All of that said, it's possible Love is the best overall prospect in the draft, even if his positional value and potential longevity raise concerns. It makes for an interesting debate on whether or not the Saints should draft the best player or if a potential shortened career makes him the best player over time.