Drafting running backs early in the primary round is back in style. Ashton Jeanty went at No. 6 last yr, and in 2023, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs went eighth and twelfth overall, respectively. This yr’s draft is predicted so as to add one other name to the list.
The running back almost certainly to proceed this trend in 2026 is Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love. Tennessee has been a well-liked projection, as each Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are in the ultimate years of their contract. Nevertheless, as ESPN’s Jordan Reid notes, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi got here up in a Chiefs front office that prioritized premium positions with premium draft picks. Taking a running back with the No. 4 pick – especially with needs at more helpful positions – would fly within the face of that philosophy.
If the Titans pass on Love, he’ll likely wind up in Recent York, in line with Reid’s colleague, Matt Miller. Recent Giants head coach John Harbaugh may not have such qualms about Love’s position with more of an emphasis on his game-changing talent. He consistently prioritized a powerful ground game in Baltimore, though the Ravens never drafted a running back within the first-round during his tenure.
Love would immediately have one of the best draft pedigree of anyone within the Giants’ running backs room. Veteran Devin Singletary currently holds that honor as a former third-round select of FAU. Eric Gray and Tyrone Tracy were fifth-round picks in back-to-back years for Recent York, in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Singletary and Gray are also set to play on the ultimate years of their contracts. Combined with last yr’s fourth-round rookie, Cam Skattebo, there are many mouth to feed, but inserting Love into the room immediately changes the outlook for the present players’ roles in the intervening time.
If running back isn’t the reply in Recent York, the team’s top decision makers could start the trend for an additional position that isn’t notoriously taken early on Day 1. Harbaugh was part of a giant contingent that attended the Ohio State Pro Day on Wednesday. It was notable enough to see Harbaugh there, given he hasn’t frequented many professional days in recent times, but in Columbus, Harbaugh, team owner Chris Mara, general manager Joe Schoen, assistant general manager Brandon Brown, and player personnel director Tim McDonnell all showed up to judge Buckeyes, and Harbaugh was seen getting some face time with standout safety Caleb Downs, in line with ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
The very best a security has ever been drafted was second overall in 1991, when Eric Turner‘s name was called by the Browns. Since then, only two other safeties have even been drafted in the highest five picks of the draft, Sean Taylor in 2004 and Eric Berry in 2010. Downs may very well be the following to affix that list if the Giants determine to put in writing his name down a month from now. Harbaugh’s defenses in Baltimore almost all the time featured strong safety play from names like Ed Reed, Eric Weddle, and Kyle Hamilton. Downs could also be just the person to upgrade Big Blue’s defensive outfield in 2026.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.