Jeremiyah Love
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The Washington Commanders interviewed a "very rare offensive weapon" at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Washington Commanders are serious about putting more explosive skill players around star quarterback Jayden Daniels this offseason, a process they started at the NFL Scouting Combine by interviewing an “offensive weapon” with “very rare” traits.
Team officials sat down with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in Indianapolis on Wednesday, February 25, according to JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports. Finlay reported “Washington is going to interview a ton of players, but certainly interesting to think about adding an offensive weapon like Love along side Jayden Daniels.”
JP Finlay
Commanders interviewed Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love this morning, per source. Washington is going to interview a ton of players, but certainly interesting to think about adding an offensive weapon like Love along side Jayden Daniels.
Using the seventh-overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft to take Love off the board would give Daniels what he hasn’t had through two seasons in the pros. Namely, a game-breaking running back with the potential to be an elite workhorse at the highest level.
A one-two punch of a healthy again Daniels and Love living up to the pre-draft hype, would add the big plays the Commanders are missing on offense. It’s an exciting scenario, but general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn must weigh using premium draft capital on Love at the expense of needing to add marquee disruptors at both ends of a shoddy defense.
Jeremiyah Love Would Answer Sneaky Need
Love is an enticing prospect because his best qualities already have draft experts drooling. A prominent pair of those experts, Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah, spoke with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer about the special back.
McShay compared Love to reigning NFL rushing champion and Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson. As he explained to Breer, “This guy’s more Bijan in that he’s silkier, smooth, quicker feet, more athletic than you think. I think the thing with Love is when he hits a crease— and obviously everyone has the mental image of the CFP game a year ago, the 98-yard run—you see a lot of it on tape, he accelerates and gets two, three steps, and he turns those eight-, 12-yard gains into 25 or a house call.”
Love gave an ample demonstration of his quick feet, acceleration and flair for the big play when he went 45 yards for a touchdown against Syracuse last season.
This was one of many field-stretching plays by Love. Long runs that owe a lot to Jeremiah’s comparison with Detroit Lions playmaker Jahmyr Gibbs. Jeremiah told Breer Love has the “‘ability to make people miss without gearing down, which is very rare.’ That is a trait, Jeremiah continued, that’s there in Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs, who doesn’t have the same sort of size/punch as Love. And in the passing game, Jeremiah said, ‘He’s so fluid and smooth, and he’s got great hands.'”
Comparisons on this level are why the Commanders were keen to talk to Love. He’s a potential transformational talent for a backfield that’s so far relied on late-round draft picks like Jacory Croskey-Merritt and journeyman veterans like Jeremy McNichols.
Drafting Love would be the upgrade the Commanders need, but there are alternatives to bolstering the running game. Other options like signing one of two 1,000-yard runners in free agency.
Going this route would leave the Commanders to focus prime resources on fortifying their defense.
Commanders Have Bigger Priorities in Round 1
Quinn has admitted the Commanders will zero in on putting better athletes on defense, starting in free agency. The coach “said the priorities in FA are adding ‘length and speed, for sure.’ Said on defense that can either be a pass rusher or coverage. key: ‘Affect the QB,'” per ESPN’s John Keim.
John Keim
Quinn said the priorities in FA are adding “length and speed, for sure.” Said on defense that can either be a pass rusher or coverage. key: “Affect the QB.” On offense, focus is on adding explosive plays — stemming from PA and the pass game.
That same strategy should extend to the draft when the Commanders are armed with a top-10 pick, but undermined by a perennially woeful defense. Especially when Daniels has enough talent to elevate the offense, but the Commanders lack a player who can do the same for the defense.
Picking at seven would put top prospects like edge-rushers David Bailey and Arvell Reese in range of Washington. As well as shutdown cornerback Mansoor Delane and safety Caleb Downs.
Adding some bluechip talent at those spots would make the Commanders competitive again quicker than taking a running back in Round 1.