Saints are staring the next Alvin Kamara right in the face and have a clear path to drafting him in the first round
New Orleans would be smart to think long-term during the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints are on a positive trajectory. Kellen Moore impressed last season as the youngest head coach in football, and Tyler Shough shocked many by being one of the best rookies in the NFL once he got the starting nod at quarterback.
Now, they have to build, and the 2026 NFL Draft will play an important hand there. They have plenty of draft capital to find exciting talent and necessary depth on both sides of the ball, but one player may truly be a game changer for the offense of the future.
Jeremiyah Love could be the Saints’ next Alvin Kamara
The eight overall selection is a prime position in the draft. Often times, you can find one of the top talents in the class anywhere inside the top ten, and New Orleans has that opportunity here. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has been a popular name for the Saints in mock drafts.
For good reason – Love is arguably the top offensive weapon in this class, and he would be a great addition for Tyler Shough’s unit in black and gold. Love discussed the potential fit of him landing with the Saints at the combine as well.
“They’ll find a way to use me like Alvin Kamara,” Love noted during media availability at the combine.
Ryan Roberts, who covers the NFL Draft and the Fighting Irish, compared Love’s skillset to Alvin Kamara (with more speed). It would be a seamless transition from the veteran to the young, electric RB.
“After backing up Audric Estime as a true freshman, Love proceeded to put together one of the most dominant two-year stretches for a running back in Notre Dame history. Love’s trademark is the big runs, where he showcases home run speed with an uncanny ability to find open space. His combination of short-area explosiveness and quickness for a running back who is 6-0 and 214 pounds. Once Love is able to break the second level, he is rarely ever caught.
A bit of a leggy runner, Love has the talent to make defenders miss in very tight spaces. His stop-start and change of direction skills are breathtaking at times. Love is a natural receiver out of the backfield, presenting even more upside on third down. Add in the fact that Love is also a notable pass protector, and we have a three-down threat who has the ability to become one of the best all-purpose running backs in the NFL.” — Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports
Jeremiyah Love’s draft stock and possible landing spots in top ten
Love is expected to go in the first half of the first round, and there are multiple suitors for his services in the top ten on paper. It’s tough to see him going in the top five, but you can never rule anything out with the NFL Draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs could add a big-time RB for Patrick Mahomes’ offense with the ninth pick. Additionally, maybe the Washington Commanders want an influx of youth in the backfield at seventh overall.
New Orleans is right in the middle of those two, so there is a solid chance that Love may still be on the board. The Commanders would probably be smartest to invest their first pick on the defensive side of the ball, where they were near the bottom of the league in most categories a season ago.
Regardless, the Saints make a ton of sense for the Notre Dame superstar, and they have had a first-hand seat at watching Alvin Kamara’s career dominance. Maybe – they will try to recreate him with Love in the first round this year.
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