Running Backs Seldom Get Drafted Top-5

In today’s NFL, running backs do not go in the top five. The league has spent years recalibrating how front offices view the position. Positional value has become central to roster building. Teams prioritize quarterbacks, offensive tackles, and edge rushers early, while running backs are consistently pushed down boards regardless of talent.

Bijan Robinson, widely viewed as one of the best running back prospects in years, went ninth overall. Jahmyr Gibbs followed at twelfth, despite being one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in that class. Both players have already proven their value at the NFL level, yet neither approached the top five.

To find the last running back taken that high, you have to go back to Saquon Barkley in 2018. Barkley was considered a generational prospect, a rare blend of size, athleticism, and versatility that justified breaking the rule. He was projected to be an all-encompassing offensive centerpiece.

So when Jeremiyah Love begins to enter the conversation at No. 4 overall, the natural reaction is to question whether he belongs in that tier or if the class itself is influencing the board. Love is not quite the same level of prospect as Barkley was coming out, but this draft also lacks the kind of elite, no-doubt talent at premium positions that typically defines the top five. That creates a scenario where teams are forced to weigh pure impact over positional value.

Jeremiyah Love’s Profile as a Modern Three-Down Weapon

At around 6 feet and 210 pounds, Love has the physical profile of a modern feature back. He runs with natural balance, absorbs contact well, and maintains explosiveness through traffic. His game is not built on one dimension. He combines patience, vision, and burst, allowing him to operate effectively in both zone and gap schemes. Once he reaches the second level, his contact balance and acceleration take over, turning routine runs into chunk gains.

At Notre Dame, he developed into a true three-down player. He handled early-down carries, contributed in the passing game, and stayed on the field in high-leverage situations. That level of usage speaks to both his versatility and trust from the coaching staff.

As a receiver, Love is one of the most natural backs in this class. He catches the ball cleanly, transitions quickly upfield, and shows comfort running routes beyond basic checkdowns. Notre Dame used him on screens, swing passes, and occasionally split him out to create mismatches. That versatility forces defenses to account for him in multiple ways, often dictating coverage before the snap.

Another important step in his development came in pass protection. Earlier in his career, there were legitimate concerns about his technique and recognition. He showed effort, but consistency was an issue. Over the past year, his growth in that area has been noticeable. His awareness against pressure looks improved, his technique is more controlled, and he is more willing to engage physically. He is no longer viewed as a situational player in passing downs, which strengthens his case as a complete back.

When evaluating his place in the draft, it comes down to how teams define value. Love offers the kind of versatility that allows an offense to expand. He can carry the ball, function as a receiver, and stay on the field in all situations. In a class without clear elite separation at premium positions, that level of impact becomes more significant.

Assessing the Fit in an Evolving Titan’s Offensive 

The Tennessee Titans find themselves in the middle of that evaluation.

They selected Cam Ward as their franchise quarterback in 2025, signaling a shift toward building a modern offense around a young passer. The next step is finding ways to support his development and raise the overall ceiling of the unit.

The roster still has needs across the board. The offensive line could use reinforcements. The wide receiver room lacks consistent high-end production. Defensively, there are gaps that could justify using a top-five pick on more traditionally valued positions.

The focus shifts when the conversation centers on Ward. Young quarterbacks benefit from players who can simplify the game. Love offers that through his ability to create offense on his own. Short passes can turn into explosive plays. Screens become an extension of the run game. His presence alone can influence defensive alignments.

There is also a schematic element to consider. Tennessee is transitioning away from its previous identity and moving toward a more modern, flexible offensive system. That type of system thrives on versatility, motion, and creating mismatches. The addition of Brian Daboll to the coaching staff adds another layer to that evolution. Daboll’s offenses have consistently leaned on adaptable playmakers who can be deployed in multiple ways, whether through motion, option routes, or designed touches in space.

A player like Love fits naturally into that framework. Daboll has historically maximized players who can operate as both runners and receivers, creating stress points for defenses that struggle to match personnel. Love’s ability to line up in different spots, handle volume as a runner, and contribute as a pass catcher would give Tennessee flexibility in how they structure their offense week to week. It is not difficult to envision him being used on designed touches, option concepts, and spacing plays that create simple reads for Ward while forcing defenses into difficult decisions.

Drafting Love at No. 4 would mean Tennessee is betting on him being an exception, and in a class like this, where the top of the board lacks clear elite options at premium positions, that bet becomes easier to justify.

The decision ultimately comes down to philosophy versus impact. Teams are taught to build through premium positions, but there are moments when the best player available offers more immediate and tangible value than the alternatives.

For Tennessee, this is one of those moments. They already have their quarterback. What they need now is a player who can elevate the offense around him, someone who can touch the ball frequently and create consistent production.

Jeremiyah Love gives them that.