Could Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love push Minnesota toward balance — and change the identity of Kevin O’Connell’s offense?
The Minnesota Vikings have been a pass-first operation since hiring Kevin O'Connell in 2022. They ranked third in the league in pass rate in both of O'Connell's first two seasons, and even with an emphasis on running the ball more in 2024 (56.6% pass rate) and 2025 (57%), it feels like more of a necessity than a natural part of the game plan.
It does make sense that O'Connell would want to throw. He is a former quarterback who won a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford and has Justin Jefferson on his offense.
But what could a weapon at running back do for the Vikings' offense? Dalvin Cook ran for 1,173 yards in 2022, but his 46.2% success rate reflected inefficiency beneath the volume, and he was released after the season. Aaron Jones had success rates of 49.8% and 50% the past two years, but injuries limited his availability in 2024 and cost him five games in 2025.
A young running back could provide fresh legs to stay on the field. He could also present the team with a skill set that incentivizes a more balanced attack.
NFL Network's Charles Davis believes the Vikings could be in a position to do just that in April's draft. With the 18th overall pick, Davis has Minnesota selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
"Are teams undervaluing the running back position again?" asks Davis. "The Vikings cannot pass on a top-three talent in this year’s draft. Head coach Kevin O'Connell will find plenty of plays for him."
The move could signal a philosophical shift in Minnesota's offense. Love was a dynamic runner in his last two years of college, averaging 6.9 yards per run.
Selecting him would also be a statement. As Davis notes, running back can be undervalued in the draft, and the Vikings have needs in the secondary and defensive line. This specific mock draft would have them passing on Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, one of the most popular selections in mocks so far.
But Love is regarded as one of the top prospects in this draft by most experts. He is the ninth-ranked player on Mock Draft Database's Consensus Big Board. PFF has Love ranked sixth overall on its Big Board after he was ranked the second-best running back in college football each of the past two seasons.
The Vikings have a history of drafting a running back with other more pressing needs on the board. They selected Adrian Peterson seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, even though Chester Taylor ran for 1,216 yards in 2006.
Peterson would win Offensive Rookie of the Year and get selected to his first of seven Pro Bowls in 2007. He instantly became the face of the franchise and starred for years after Taylor departed following the 2009 season.
Expecting Love to have that kind of impact is unrealistic. The process, however, would be familiar. Draft great players that fall to you, even if that means bypassing more immediate, pressing needs.