Everyone has an opinion on which way the Washington Commanders should go with their choice at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. And there is growing weight behind one tantalizing prospect who could slip through the cracks.
Positional importance is the only doubt around Notre Dame phenom Jeremiyah Love. Running backs don't tend to get taken in the top five, aside from a few very rare cases. However, this is not considered the best class by any stretch, so needs could go out of the window in favor of elite-level talent.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Love is all that and more. He also thought the Commanders would have a hard time turning him down if he was still available when general manager Adam Peters went on the clock.
Dan Orlovsky outlines why Jeremiyah Love should be in play for the Commanders
Orlovsky thought pigeonholing Love as your stereotypical running back would be foolish. The quarterback-turned-analyst highlighted his ability as a receiver, making the prospect a genuine dual-threat capable of taking the league by storm immediately.
"I think he takes any offense to the next level. I think he’s 1,500 yards when he steps onto the field as a rookie in the NFL."
"We cannot just box him into running back... there are people who are widely respected that would sit there and tell you if you had him just play wide receiver in the slot, he’d catch 60+ passes just as a slot receiver in the NFL."
This is a fair assessment. Love is streets ahead of any running back prospect in this class. He's about as polished as any prospect, regardless of position. Adding him to the Commanders' backfield alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels would make Washington's offense incredible to watch for the next decade.
Of course, the chances of Love being available remain unclear. Most mock drafts around the media have him going in the top five. Washington could potentially be his floor at No. 7, but it'll be an anxious wait if Peters zeroes in on the backfield force.
There is a good chance Love will be chosen beforehand. Other enticing prospects represent solid contingency plans, and even though Peters isn't expecting much activity, a trade-down for additional draft capital couldn't be completely dismissed either.
But if the Heisman Trophy finalist is there for the taking, the temptation is obvious.
Some fans don't think the Commanders are in a position to select Love so high. Peters has a different opinion, preferring to take the best prospects available and worrying about the rest later.
And if Love is still on the board at No. 7, he represents precisely that.