The Washington Commanders hold a top 10 selection in the NFL Draft for the third time this decade. But that’s not enough for one draft analyst — Fox Sports’s Rob Rang. In his newest mock draft this week, Rang proposed the Commanders make a splash with a move up to No. 3 overall to draft running back Jeremiyah Love.
Rang characterized the trade as a necessary risk for a team desperate to get quarterback Jayden Daniels another weapon.
“If the Commanders are really serious about protecting Jayden Daniels, they’ll insulate him with a dynamic runner and won’t risk losing the opportunity to draft him by waiting until they are on the clock at No. 7 overall,” Rang wrote. “With just six draft picks in 2026 (including no second-round selection), Washington would have to be bold, indeed, to make this move, likely having to trade not only this year’s first round pick but next year’s, as well.”
Love is the clear-cut top running back in the 2026 draft class. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah each have Love rated as their No. 2 prospect behind Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
“Love reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush. The 20-year-old has vision and burst between the tackles and to the outside, and he can break tackles with ease (60 forced missed tackles on the 2025 season),” Kiper wrote. “Once he gets into space, he can take it to the house with his 4.36 breakaway speed too. But Love isn’t only an outstanding runner. He also is a high-impact pass catcher.
“An NFL team will be able to flank him out wide and create a whole other dimension of the offense.”
Why the Commanders Should Target RB Jeremiyah Love
It’s not very hard to see why Washington could try to land the Notre Dame running back.
Love rushed for 1,372 yards for the Fighting Irish last season. He averaged 6.9 yards per attempt each of the past two years. Love also scored 40 touchdowns in 2024 and 2025 combined.
Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the team with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season. Third-year running back Chris Rodriguez also had 500 rushing yards, but he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL free agency.
To replace Rodriguez, the Commanders added Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency. But Love would give Washington another dynamic in the backfield. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared the Notre Dame product to Jahmyr Gibbs, who posted 5,029 yards from scrimmage in his first three NFL campaigns.
“Three-phase running back capable of stressing defenses with big-play speed and untapped pass-catching value,” Zierlein wrote. “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.”
Would the Commanders Trade Up to No. 3 for Love?
It’s important to note that Rang’s mock draft featured trades as a theme. Every single projection in the mock draft was via a trade.
So Rang exploring the possibility of the Commanders moving up to No. 3 for Love seemed to be more of a fun experiment than an actual prediction.
The Commanders have significant needs on defense, especially at edge rusher. Offensively, they could use another receiver.
With that in mind, a trade up to No. 3 for Love seems far-fetched, particularly when considering the Commanders don’t have a second- or fourth-round pick.
On the other hand, Washington could see Love as an indirect defensive improvement for the organization. If the Commanders can successfully run the ball more often next season, their defense will be on the field less.
Love would also be a pass-catcher for Daniels.
The Commanders could roll the dice and see if Love falls to them at No. 7. A trade up to No. 3, though, would be an aggressive move to ensure Washington lands arguably the top non-quarterback prospect of 2026.
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