With the Scouting Combine over and pro days underway, we have a more complete picture of the 2026 NFL Draft class. Film, production, athletic testing, interviews, and medical evaluations come together to make a profile of a player, which makes it easier to map out the class. Over the next few weeks, I will be going through position by position and ranking the 2026 draft class, with more attention being paid to positional groups the Eagles may be more interested in.
At running back, Saquon Barkley is the guy in the Eagles backfield. It is to be seen how Sean Mannion will deploy backs the running game, but Saquon Barkley is the unquestioned lead back regardless of who else is in the room. Barkley has generated 3,700 regular season yards of offense since joining the Eagles in 2024, scoring a total of 24 times. He is the guy in 2026. That being said, he is 29 and it’s unclear when his high level of play is going to drop off. The Eagles no doubt need at least one more competent back in their running game to complement Barkley. Tank Bigsby showed promise in that regard in limited chances last year.
The 2026 class has one elite running back and a bunch of solid role players with starter upside. I’d be surprised if more than one back went in the first round, with the majority of the players in this class making sense as mid or late round additions. Here are the top guys.
1) Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
A few years ago, it felt like the age of the running back was over. Teams were running it less and spending less and less capital at the position. Then 2024 happened where Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Aaron Jones got big paydays with new teams before carrying those respective offenses to being some of the best in the league. In Saquon’s case, we know what else happened. The league is reverting back to putting value on high impacts runners, and Jeremiyah Love will be a top 10 pick in the 2026 draft. He is one of the most complete players in the group and one of the best running backs to enter the league in recent memory.
Love is well built at six foot and over 215 pounds. Despite having a tall, muscular frame; he runs with great pad level and can make defenders feel his power on every carry. Despite being a hooked up, strong runner, his real talent is how he moves. Love has elite burst and long speed, with the threat to house any carry. Combine that with a creative running style and great agility, and he is among the most polished and dynamic runners to enter the league.
In terms of versatility, Love is a. Great third down back who can fearlessly and effectively pick up blitzes, but also has the ability to make an impact catching the football. During his two years as the Irish’s lead back, he was arguably underutilized in this area and it’s a place he can have a far more expanded role in the league.
There aren’t many holes in this game. Sometimes he is not urgent enough finding a hole. But that’s a coachable trait in a player who knows he can score at any moment. Whichever team drafters Love will get a franchise altering player immediately.
Pro Comparison: Deuce McCallister, New Orleans Saints
The Rest
- Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
- Mike Washington Junior, Arkansas
- Jonah Coleman, Washington
- Kaytron Allen, Penn State
- Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
- Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
- Seth McGowan, Kentucky
- Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M
- Jadyn Ott, Oklahoma
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