Vikings Named a Fit for Top Playmaker in Draft
It might take a miracle on the draftboard — or an expensive trade — but the Minnesota Vikings are evidently one of the best fits for Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in three weeks, according to Bleacher Report.
Love would give the Vikings the explosive RB1 they’ve lacked for years and reshape the offense fast.
Love will expect to hear his name called somewhere in the Top 10 in 22 days, and among a handful of teams, he’d thrive in Minnesota, says the working theory.
Love Keeps Showing Up as a Vikings Match
BR is in on Love to the Twin Cities.
Vikings Among Love’s Best Fits
BR’s Moe Moton named five teams that would especially cook with Love, and Minnesota got a shoutout.
He wrote, “At No. 18 in the draft order, the Minnesota Vikings would probably have to move up for Jeremiyah Love, but he’s worth it for what they need in the backfield. Entering his age-32 season, Aaron Jones Sr. is an aging running back who has missed 11 games over the last three years and saw a significant drop-off in production between his first and second seasons in Minnesota.”
“In 2025, he logged 27 fewer carries than Jordan Mason, who led the team with 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Although Mason is a solid ball-carrier with good size (5’11”, 230 lbs) for short-yardage situations, he doesn’t have much pass-catching production.”
Love-to-Minnesota actually felt like a real possibility when the Vikings had a 4-8 record through 13 weeks last year. Minnesota later won its next five games, wiping Love off their realistic draft radar.
Moton continued, “In four seasons, the 26-year-old has 28 receptions for 173 yards. Jones is still an effective receiver, though he only has one more year left on his deal. The Vikings can add a much younger three-down tailback who’s also more versatile than Mason.”
“With the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray and Love, Minnesota would field an athletic, fast-paced offense capable of more explosive plays.”
Moton also named the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans as sound fits for the Fighting Irish rookie.
Love’s Scouting Report
Love brings a 6’0″, 214-pound build with legit 4.36 speed. Over the last two seasons at Notre Dame, he piled up 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, plus five more scores through the air.
He’s considered the single best player in the draft, according to ESPN, believe it or not. ESPN’s scouting department on Love: “Love is coming off two extremely productive seasons. He is an explosive runner who possesses great burst and acceleration, with the ability to create separation early and the top-end speed to take it the distance when he finds green grass.”
“He is extremely light on his feet with great quickness and agility to maneuver through high traffic areas. Love has fluid hips and the suddenness to make defenders miss in the open field, too. He displays instincts and patience as an inside runner; Love has good vision, though will miss an occasional running lane. He has good core strength and contact balance to break tackles and consistently runs with determination and effort.”
The man could be a total game-changer for the Vikings, even if it will be really tricky to secure his services.
ESPN added: “Love is an extension of the passing game — he has receiver-like ball skills and is a natural route runner out of the backfield. He also brings value in pass protection, showing toughness and willingness to square up defenders at the point of attack.”
“Overall, Love was an extremely productive back at the college level and has the complete skillset to be a playmaker at the next level.”
An Overdue Situation
Drafting Love could instantly transform Minnesota’s offense. He projects as a true RB1, capable of handling a significant workload, which would alleviate pressure on Murray as he acclimates to the new system in 2026. The Vikings could also establish a more run-oriented attack.
Minnesota hasn’t drafted a back of Pro Bowl caliber since Dalvin Cook, and in the interim has experimented with Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Cam Akers. While Jones provided some value, his age (31) is a concern.
Love has the potential to be an elite running back in this draft class, comparable to Ashton Jeanty or even Bijan Robinson. He’s that talented, and his bust risk is quite low. An injury or two would probably have to be the culprit.
Trade Partners?
There’s a microscopic chance that Love experiences a total tumble all the way to Minnesota at No. 18, but that scenario might have Powerball odds.
So, the Vikings’ trade partners might have to look like this:
- CLE (No. 6) — to get ahead of WAS | Price: No. 18 pick & Two 2nd Rounders
- WAS (No. 7) | Price: No. 18 pick & a 2nd-Rounder and 3rd-Rounder
- KC (No. 10) | Price: No. 18 pick & a 2nd-Rounder and 5th-Rounder
If the Vikings were forced to trade with the Tennessee Titans at Pick No. 4, they may have to surrender next year’s 1st-Rounder, which would feel like a non-starter.
Love hasn’t even turned 21 yet. The Titans and Commanders are the odds-on favorites to draft him.
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