Kiper's Commanders Love Affair: Is Jeremiyah Worth the Hype?

Look, Mel Kiper Jr. has been doing this a long time. So when he goes on ESPN and says Jeremiyah Love would be a "tremendous fit" for the Washington Commanders, people listen. Kiper isn't alone; Tim Hasselbeck also chimed in, tossing around the idea of Love as a top-10 pick. But let's be real: "tremendous fit" and "top-10 talent" are two different conversations.

Love put up some big numbers at Notre Dame, no doubt. Last season, he ran for 1,120 yards and eight touchdowns on a 6.1 yards per carry average. He also snagged 35 catches for 320 yards, showing that versatility NFL teams crave. The tape shows a guy with legitimate juice, someone who can hit the hole hard and break arm tackles. He's got the speed to get to the edge and turn a five-yard gain into 15. The Commanders, fresh off a 4-13 season and looking to rebuild with a new quarterback, need playmakers. Sam Howell certainly didn't have enough of them in 2023.

Here's the thing: Washington finished 29th in rushing last year, averaging just 93.6 yards per game. Brian Robinson Jr. was solid, picking up 733 yards on the ground, but he’s more of a grinder. Antonio Gibson, now gone to New England, had his moments, but he was never the consistent home-run threat. Kiper sees Love as that missing piece, a dynamic back who can rip off huge gains and take pressure off a rookie signal-caller. He envisions Love catching screens, running outside zone, and generally making life easier for whoever is under center, perhaps even Jayden Daniels if he lands in D.C. at pick No. 2.

**Top-10 Talk Is Crazy Talk**

But a top-10 pick? Come on. That's where I start to pump the brakes on Kiper and Hasselbeck. The last time a running back went in the top-10 was Saquon Barkley in 2018 at No. 2 overall to the Giants. Since then, we've seen a clear devaluation of the position in the draft. Bijan Robinson went No. 8 last year, but that felt like an outlier, and even he only managed 948 rushing yards for the Falcons.

Drafting a running back that high in 2024, especially with so many pressing needs for the Commanders — starting with a franchise quarterback, then offensive line help, and probably another edge rusher — feels like a luxury they can't afford. They have the No. 2 pick, and they have the No. 36 pick. If they want a difference-making back, they can likely find one in the second or third round. Guys like Jonathan Brooks from Texas or Blake Corum from Michigan could be available later and offer similar immediate impact for less draft capital.

Real talk: Love is a good player, maybe even a great one in time. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine, showing off that elite speed. But passing on a foundational piece on the offensive line, or a top-tier defensive player to take a running back in the top-10? That's malpractice in today's NFL. The Commanders need to build from the trenches out. They gave up 65 sacks in 2023, the third-most in the league. That's a far more pressing issue than their running back room.

My bold prediction: Jeremiyah Love won't be a top-10 pick, and if the Commanders do take him, it won't be until day two, after they've addressed their far more glaring holes.