Commanders predicted to take elite 1,600-yard playmaker with No. 7 pick in NFL draft

If there's one team that could take a swing on a running back early in the 2026 NFL draft, it's the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders don't have a surefire starter on their roster at running back, with guys like Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols set to vie for snaps in 2026.

Because of that shaky situation, ESPN's Field Yates predicts the Commanders will take Notre Dame superstar running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft.

Here's more from Yates on a potential Love-Commanders pairing:

I'd argue the floor of Love would be at No. 7, as this would be a home run move for the Commanders with their only pick of the first two rounds. While the team signed veterans Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency, make no mistake that the RB room has more than enough room for Love. Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt is Washington's only returning RB from 2025, when he recorded 805 rushing yards (team high) and just 68 receiving yards.

Love is the most dynamic offensive player in this class, running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine and averaging 10.4 yards per catch in 2025. He would immediately alleviate pressure on quarterback Jayden Daniels, also adding value as a pass protector.

While it has become somewhat taboo to take a running back early in drafts in this day and age, the Commanders can certainly justify doing so here.

Jeremiyah Love scouting report

Love had an electric college career with the Fighting Irish and culminated it with a season that saw him tally over 1,600 yards from scrimmage, including 1,372 rushing yards, and 21 total touchdowns.

There is pretty much nothing Love can't do on a football field.

Love is an explosive and powerful runner and can make house calls from anywhere on the field and he's an elite pass-catcher and can even line up in the slot. While he does need work in pass protection, he's not a liability there, either.

"Jeremiyah Love is an electric back who uses speed and acceleration to capitalize on small creases and convert them into explosive plays on the ground," The Draft Network's Keith Sanchez wrote in his scouting report.

Jeremiyah Love's NFL Combine results

• Height: 6'0
• Weight: 212 pounds
• Arm: 32"
• Hand: 9 1/8"
• 40-yard dash: 4.36

Love didn't do much at the combine, but he did take part in the 40-yard dash, where he posted an electric time of 4.36 seconds. His 10-yard split clocked in at 1.55 seconds.

For reference, that 40-yard dash time is the same as Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs', yet Love has three inches and 13 pounds on him.

According to Next Gen Stats, Love ranks first in Production Score (96), second in Athleticism Score (estimated, 83) and first in Total Score (94) among backs in this year's draft.

Should the Commanders draft Love?

Absolutely.

We get it, the Commanders still have some big needs to address, but running back is one of them and the top priority for Washington this offseason is adding more help around Jayden Daniels.

Adding a game-breaking back who can take over and take a ton of pressure off Daniels is exactly what the doctor ordered for an offense that also needs more explosiveness.

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