NFL Draft: Running back Jeremiyah Love is an option for the Giants, and here's why it makes sense

The Giants’ brass went to the NFL meetings feeling a different heat than last year. Instead of hot seats because of their job security, they could bask in Arizona’s sunny temperatures feeling good about this new era.

Coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen might have left with another feeling: Love.

As in good feelings about Notre Dame All-American running back Jeremiyah Love, an option for the Giants with the No. 5 pick this month.

Love is regarded as the best running back prospect in the draft and one of the best prospects regardless of position this year. Harbaugh didn’t hide that he was impressed with what he saw on tape.

“I would probably put very, very good player. Put a couple of ‘verys’ in front of that,” he said on Monday. “Maybe a couple more. He’s really good.”

Of course, Harbaugh gushed about Love because he was asked about him. On a podcast with Mike Francesa, he praised Ohio State safety Caleb Downs when Francesa brought him up.

But there’s a scenario in which the Giants could draft Love, who met with the Giants at the NFL Combine. Harbaugh thrives with run-heavy offenses. Who wouldn’t want a playmaking running back with elite speed, power and great hands?

There’s also a big reason the Giants should seriously consider drafting Love: Atonement. They need to make penance for letting Saquon Barkley leave in free agency two years ago.

It was a mistake in real time and in hindsight. By not paying Barkley what he wanted, they’ve paid by watching him win a Super Bowl with the Eagles and average 8.9 yards per carry in three games against the Giants. They’ve also paid by not replacing him with a back of his caliber.

Sure, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo are solid all-purpose backs. Tracy has consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 scrimmage yards. Skattebo was a bolt of energy in eight games as a rookie last season before suffering an ankle injury.

But what if there’s a way to add a back more in Barkley’s mold? Would the Giants take that swing again? Should they fall in, well, love with another dynamic running back?

It’s possible. And Schoen conceded the Giants are in a better situation to invest in such a player than they were in 2024.

“Where we are right now is a different place than the Saquon situation,” Schoen said Monday. “And again, we got a young quarterback, we got a number of receivers, we got Jermaine Eluemunor, the offensive line is stronger. So we’re gonna take the best player available regardless of position that can help the New York Giants.”

Taking Love wouldn’t be only a matter of realizing the mistake they made in letting Barkley leave. It would be an admission that something’s missing in the running back room.

Tracy improved his ball security last season, but he’s not an explosive runner on par with Love, who ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash.

Skattebo excites fans with his electric personality and ability to run over defenders. But he lacks the quickness and shiftiness to be a No. 1 back.

Drafting Love would mean the Giants want something more than solid runners. If they plan to be physical, it would help if Harbaugh has some pop in the backfield reminiscent of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in Baltimore.

A three-headed monster of Love, Tracy and Skattebo would be formidable along with Jaxson Dart’s dual-threat ability. It also would give the Giants another chance to get it right with a talented running back worth investing in.

“I like them a lot. I feel like they like me a lot as well,” Love said at the Combine. “Hopefully they call my name on draft night. and we can continue building better relationships. Hopefully somebody does.”

Somebody will. If the Giants do, it will be more than Love at first sight. It’s an opportunity to not make the same mistake twice and commit long term to a top-flight running back.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.