The Dallas Cowboys became a dynasty in the 1990s around Troy Aikman, Emmit Smith, and Michael Irvin, affectionally known as “the triplets,” and during the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Giants could look to build out their own 21st-century version.
After showing glimpses of significant promise as a rookie, the Giants could pass on taking a dominant safety or a playmaking linebacker early in the NFL Draft, in favor of dropping a difference-making weapon in Jaxson Dart’s supporting cast with the No. 5 overall pick next month.
NFL Draft 2026: New York Giants linked to Jeremiyah Love
Tennessee Titans Jeremiyah Love, NFL Draft
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (RB11) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Eight years after selecting Saquon Barkley No. 2 overall, on a roster that seemed fairly far away from contending, the New York Giants could look to add another running back with a top-five selection, this time hoping to jumpstart a rapid turnaround around Dart, wide receiver Malik Nabers, and incoming head coach John Harbaugh.
Over at NFL Media, analyst Chad Reuter suggests that the Giants could tab Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 5 overall selection.
“It’s still possible John Harbaugh goes for a defensive back like Caleb Downs,” Reuter admits for NFL Media. “Mirroring his selections while in Baltimore. An explosive playmaker like Love might be too good to pass up, though, as defenses will need to stay in their gaps on run plays and securely tackle in the open field to prevent the former Notre Dame star from breaking away for big gains.”
Love could be the kind of player who fast tracks Dart’s development because of his big-play ability in the ground game and also sees his own production explode because of the big plays Nabers is able to create over the top in the vertical passing game. If Loe is on the board when the Giants go on the clock, the direction New York takes could be one of the more interesting and ipactful decision points of the entire draft.
NFL Draft, Jeremiyah Love
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend.