Jeremiyah Love made the decision to forgo his final season at Notre Dame and enter the 2026 NFL Draft, and it couldn't have been at a better time for himself. Love is going into the draft as the top running back, and according to ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, the potentially top offensive player.
Riddick joined Rich Eisen on the Rich Eisen show to talk about the upcoming NFL Combine and Draft, and when talking about who they believe is the biggest difference maker, there was no hesitation in saying Love's name. Riddick even went as far as to compare him to the elite Lions running back, Jamyr Gibbs.
"You draft running backs in the top 10 when they give you Jamyr Gibbs type of return on investment, and that is what Jeremiyah Love is going to give you in a bigger package," Riddick said.
💻 @LRiddickESPN
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 23, 2026
Is #NotreDame running back Jeremiyah Love the best player in this upcoming #NFLDraft?#NFL pic.twitter.com/Uhh2rfOWUY
Love may not have quite the speed that Gibbs has, but he is clearly a guy that teams can feel comfortable drafting early and not think twice about. Drafting a running back that early in the first round is not typical, but for a talent like Love's, teams will take the chance knowing it will pay off.
NFL teams will be fighitng over Jeremiyah Love in the top 10 picks
Love is the type of offensive weapon that any NFL team dreams about with his ability to be so versatile and play any role that is needed of him. Love even sold himself in that manner when talking about the type of player he will be for NFL teams.
The latest NFL mock drafts have Love going to the Kansas City Chiefs at pick No. 9, but there are some teams ahead of the Chiefs that may not let this talent go. The New Orleans Saints could use a playmaker like Love with a young quarterback at the helm. There is also the Cleveland Browns, whoa re certainly looking for offensive firepower to complement the defense.
Love will be a guy that teams are thinking very hard about to take early in the draft. The Chiefs seem like a very logical pick with the level of talent on the offense and Patrick Mahomes leading the way, but all will be seen on April 23 when the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft takes place.