Final 2026 NFL Draft Rankings: Running Backs

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The NFL draft is just over two weeks away, and our coverage here at NFL Trade Rumors rolls on. Over the next week, I’ll continue releasing my final position rankings as we get closer and closer to one of the best weekends of the entire year. Stretching all the way back to last summer, I’ve been poring over tape, monitoring pro day and Combine performances, and getting my eyes on the All-Star circuit, all to deliver the most accurate and informative draft coverage I can. If it weren’t for the quarterbacks, running back would be the weakest position group in this entire class. There’s one elite, top-five pick in here and another priority second-round pick, but after those two, I don’t have a grade higher than the late third-round. There’s some intriguing Day 3 talent here for sure, and lots of guys who can play rotational roles in the league, but the upside of this class is pretty limited outside of the top few guys. Over the next two weeks, I’ll be finishing out my final position rankings and much more. We have a lot of content planned on the draft side coming up soon, so stay tuned! Top 150 Big Board 2026 NFL Draft Visit Tracker Final Position Rankings: Quarterbacks Final Position Rankings: Tight Ends Final Position Rankings: Offensive Tackles Final Position Rankings: Interior Offensive Linemen Final Position Rankings: Linebackers Final Position Rankings: Cornerbacks Final Position Rankings: Safeties 1: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame A four-star high school recruit from St. Louis, Love made an immediate impact as a true freshman at Notre Dame in 2023, with 385 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Fighting Irish in a backup role. He exploded onto the scene in 2024, becoming a workhorse in the Notre Dame offense and racking up 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Love added 237 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns, garnering significant hype as a Heisman candidate and top draft prospect heading into his junior season. In 2025, Love had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns — averaging an identical 6.9 yards per carry — and totaling 280 receiving yards and three more scores. At 6-0, 212 pounds, Love has solid NFL size. The first thing that jumps off his scouting report is his speed. When he hits a crease, he can turn a three-yard gain into a 20-yarder in an instant, blowing past the second level of the defense to gash them for huge chunks. Love’s ability to house a seemingly innocuous run from anywhere on the field makes him incredibly dangerous, and he’ll immediately be one of the best big-play threats in the league as a rookie. In traffic, Love keeps his feet moving and has strong contact balance, bouncing off hits and ripping through arm tackles in the hole. When he breaks into the open field, he’s both decisive and creative, making defenders look silly with his moves without spending too much time dancing around and letting backside defenders catch up. Love’s vision is another of his better traits, reading the defense well and patiently allowing his blocks to get set before hitting the right crease for a maximum gain. As a receiver, Love has strong hands and is a weapon after the catch, wasting no time creating extra yards with the ball in his hands. The holes in Love’s game are mostly of the third-down variety. His pass protection technique needs work and blitzers can go through his chest a little too easily. Perhaps more noteworthy, while he lines up all over the formation and is comfortable sp…