Mel Kiper Jr. has certain standards he has mostly stuck to in his decades-long tenure as ESPN's NFL Draft guru.
Sometimes, though, he goes against those for a player who is special enough. That's what he did in his latest projection for what the New York Giants will do with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kiper predicts in a new mock draft on Thursday that the Giants will take Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love in that spot. And yes, he acknowledges that it's unusual for him.
"I know, I know. Kiper doesn't like early-pick running backs," Kiper writes. "But Love is so much more than just a running back. He's a dynamic playmaker who could elevate Jaxson Dart and this Giants offense to another level."
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That's definitely a fair point. Love can be a dual-threat back who can stay on the field at all times and add immense explosiveness to the Giants' offense.
If Kiper was ever going to like an early running back, it'd be Love.
The Giants are in a tricky spot at the RB position, because they did just draft Cam Skattebo last season. Does Skattebo have enough durability compared to his play style to stay healthy? And can he be a workhorse back?
If the Giants believe the answer to either of those is no, then they wouldn't be wrong in giving Love a chance.
He's as close to a sure thing as there is in this draft. There's just overall less positional value for a running back than some other positions.
If Love makes it past the fourth pick with the Tennessee Titans, the Giants will definitely have to consider him. Kiper might even approve.
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