The Giants head into the 2026 NFL Draft with the fifth overall pick, giving them plenty of talented players on the board.
Let's look at some of their options, focusing this time on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love...
By The Numbers
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 212 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 4.36 seconds
Vertical: N/A
Bench: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
2025 Stats: 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 280 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns
Prospect Overview
NFL.com: He’s not a pile-mover but he runs through contact and squeezes out extra yards as a committed finisher. He’s a talented route runner and pass catcher who can work from the slot and mismatch linebackers. Love is a three-down, scheme-independent player who would benefit from a complementary back to preserve his big-play ability.
Bleacher Report: Love is a dynamic and explosive running back who possesses the skill set to be a complete weapon in an NFL offense. He combines home-run top-end speed with route-running and pass-catching ability to impact the offense in multiple ways.
Why Love makes sense for the Giants
There was a time, not all that long ago, when NFL teams were hesitant to take running backs early in the draft, or even in the first round at all. But thanks to some recent standouts like Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, and even going back to Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott, game-changing backs are going early and making a huge impact.
Love is that kind of back. Racking up 1,372 yards on the ground and finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting, Love is an explosive runner, but also an all-around back who can play all three downs. While some fans may be hesitant after the team took Barkley No. 2 overall back in 2018 (instead of potentially taking a franchise quarterback), Love would instantly provide a jolt to the running game, an area of the game that John Harbaugh has focused on during his time with the Ravens.
The argument against the Giants drafting Love is that Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are still on the roster. But Skattebo is coming back from a significant leg and ankle injury, and pairing his physical, bruising style of play could give the Giants an electric 1-2 punch, with Tracy then either playing more of a hybrid or role or perhaps becoming a trade candidate.
NFL Comparison
NFL.com: Jahmyr Gibbs
Bleacher Report*:* Alvin Kamara
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