Former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is one of the more fascinating prospects heading as we inch closer to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23. Love has most consistently been linked to the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, drafting at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively, but a surprising potential suitor entered the rumor mill during the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Friday.
“Something you hear about Giants at Combine: They’re seriously looking at some of the top running backs, both in the draft and free agency,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported. “Players like Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Travis Etienne, and Kenneth Walker. There seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team.”
The New York Giants hired head coach John Harbaugh after the Baltimore Ravens fired him in January. Harbaugh was the Ravens’ head coach from 2008 through last season. Throughout his tenure in Baltimore, Harbaugh prioritized the run. The Ravens led the NFL in rush yards per game in 2023, and then doubled down by signing future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry in March 2024. Baltimore led the league in rushing again in 2024 and was second only to Buffalo in 2025.
While some of the Ravens’ rushing success has to be credited to two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, Harbaugh will have a running quarterback in Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is entering his second year. The Giants also have running back Cam Skattebo, who showed flashes as a rookie before suffering a season-ending dislocated ankle last October.
The Giants finished last season at 4-13, so the roster has plenty of needs. But Love is plenty enticing.
Love finished third in Heisman voting after running for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on a staggering 6.9 yards per attempt, plus 280 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver, in 2025. According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, Love averaged 9.1 yards when rushing against six or fewer defenders, best in the country, and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Love as the second-best overall prospect behind only Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
While meeting with reporters at the Combine, Love said he views himself as an every-down back and can “fit anywhere.” He added that he would be “blessed to go anywhere.” If it’s the Saints, he believes “they’ll find a way to use me like they did Alvin Kamara.” If it’s the Chiefs, he told Rich Eisen that it would be “an honor” to play with three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whom he called “the best quarterback.”
If it’s the Giants, Love could help Harbaugh instantly re-legitimize a storied NFL franchise that hasn’t finished with a winning record in three years.
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