Saints Linked to Top RB Prospect Jeremiyah Love at No. 8 Pick

ESPN's Adam Schefter believes New Orleans should consider drafting the dynamic running back to pair with QB Tyler Shough.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 4:05am

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With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, ESPN's Adam Schefter believes the New Orleans Saints should strongly consider selecting star running back prospect Jeremiyah Love with the 8th overall pick. Schefter noted that the Saints could look to pair Love, who some analysts view as a top-10 talent, with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough to give their offense a dynamic one-two punch. The analyst drew comparisons to recent top-10 running back selections like Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey, suggesting the Saints could look to replicate that formula.

Why it matters

The Saints have built their offense around star running back Alvin Kamara in recent years, but adding a talent like Jeremiyah Love could give them an even more dynamic backfield duo to complement their young quarterback Tyler Shough. Selecting a running back that high is always a risk, but Love's skill set could make him an ideal fit for the Saints' offensive system.

The details

Schefter believes Love could be off the board by the time the 9th pick rolls around, making the 8th overall selection an ideal landing spot for the talented running back. The Saints have the 8th pick after finishing 9-7 last season, and Schefter thinks they should strongly consider bolstering their offense with Love, who some analysts view as a potential top-10 pick.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A highly touted running back prospect who is projected to be a potential top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Tyler Shough

The Saints' second-year quarterback, who the team selected in the 2nd round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Alvin Kamara

The Saints' star running back who has been the focal point of their offense in recent seasons.

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What they’re saying

“Jeremiyah Love, I can't imagine that he goes anywhere below number nine. And if we back and look at some of the other great running backs taken in NFL history, who else has gone in the top 10 recently?”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Analyst

“Oh, Bijan Robinson. What number did he go? Eight. Christian McCaffrey. What number did he go? Eight. You know who picks eight? The New Orleans Saints. Couldn't you see the New Orleans Saints going ahead and taking Jeremiyah Love to match with Tyler Shough to give Tyler Shough a weapon to go one pick before the Chiefs do?”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Saints will have to weigh the pros and cons of selecting a running back that high in the draft, but Schefter believes Love's talent could make him an ideal fit to pair with their young quarterback Tyler Shough.

The takeaway

The Saints have an opportunity to add a dynamic offensive weapon in Jeremiyah Love with the 8th overall pick, which could give their offense a potent one-two punch alongside quarterback Tyler Shough. While running backs are often viewed as less valuable in the modern NFL, Love's skill set could make him an exception worth investing a premium pick in.