What's Happening?
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, both running backs from Notre Dame, are on the verge of making NFL Draft history in 2026. Love is widely expected to be the first running back selected, projected as a top-10 pick. His teammate, Price, is considered
the second-best running back in the draft class and is likely to be picked on Day 2. Love has expressed strong confidence in Price's abilities, highlighting his skills as a return man, where Price excelled with an FBS-best 37.5 yards per kick return and two touchdowns in his final college season. Love believes Price can match his own versatility as a runner, pass catcher, and blocker, making him a valuable asset for any NFL team.
Why It's Important?
The potential selection of both Love and Price as the top two running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft underscores a significant shift in the valuation of running backs in professional football. Historically, running backs have seen fluctuating importance in the NFL, but Love's comments suggest a resurgence in their perceived value. This development could influence team strategies, emphasizing the need for versatile, three-down backs who can impact games in multiple ways. For NFL teams, securing such talent could enhance offensive capabilities, potentially altering game dynamics and team success. The draft positions of Love and Price could also set a precedent for future drafts, affecting how college running backs are scouted and valued.
What's Next?
As the NFL Draft approaches, teams will finalize their evaluations of Love and Price, considering their potential impact on team rosters. The draft outcomes for these players could influence team strategies and roster decisions, particularly for franchises looking to bolster their running game. Additionally, the performance of Love and Price in the NFL could validate the renewed emphasis on running backs, potentially leading to increased draft capital being allocated to the position in future drafts. Teams may also look to adapt their offensive schemes to maximize the talents of versatile backs like Love and Price.
