Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love is an elite-level talent. The Washington Commanders have a committee at the running back position, but nobody with the game-changing credentials of the league's best. If he is still around at No. 7, general manager Adam Peters has a big decision to make.
And people around the league are starting to believe that Washington may be Love's floor.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora spoke with a longtime personnel evaluator, who made his feelings crystal clear. He wasn't interested in positional value with a prospect boasting Love's credentials. If he's available and the Commanders pass, he thought that would be a grave error of judgment.
“If he gets past Washington at seven, somebody (screwed) up. He’s exactly what that offense needs. The best thing they can do for that quarterback (Jayden Daniels) is to take Love if he’s there."4
NFL figures believe Commanders should take Jeremiyah Love if he makes it to No. 7
This sentiment was echoed by a veteran NFL executive who spoke anonymously. He thought Peters being in the San Francisco 49ers front office when they traded for Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey could be something that enters his thought process.
If it does, Love would be an incredibly difficult proposition to turn down.
“I think Washington is the floor. The draft is about supply and demand and who really needs a running back. The GM (Adam Peters) comes from San Francisco. They made the trade for McCaffrey.”
Obviously, this is all about how far along the Commanders believe they are after an eventful offseason. Peters spared no expense to strengthen the defense. He found some intriguing role players for the offense. This gives him more flexibility during the draft, but taking Love is something else entirely.
Love may not even be around. He's widely projected to go in the top five by most analysts, so this may not even become a debate in Washington's draft room. But if he somehow slips through the cracks, putting the Heisman Trophy finalist next to quarterback Jayden Daniels could take the NFL by storm immediately.
It's a waiting game. Peters — or anyone else around the league, for that matter — has no idea what's going to unfold after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Love is the genuine wild card, but he's also arguably the most gifted overall prospect in this class.
Peters will have plans for every eventuality. The Commanders need a little bit of luck along the way, but Love being available is not completely out of the question.
And if he is there for the taking, don't be surprised if Peters swings for the fences.