The Minnesota Vikings circled around running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency on Monday, but they have a trade path toward an even better outcome of selecting Jeremiyah Love in the top 10 of the NFL draft.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network agrees with most league analysts that Minnesota makes the most sense as a landing spot for QB Kyler Murray and that he will eventually end up there, for at least one year in 2026, after the Arizona Cardinals officially release him on Wednesday.
Jeremiah floated a trade with the Washington Commanders that would pair Murray and Love together and create a dynamic offense in Minneapolis for years to come alongside wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
“You’re also sitting there with pick No. 18, and you look at the way this draft is shaking out and you look a team like Washington who is pick [No. 7],” Jeremiah said. “Washington … they do not have a second-round pick, they do not have a fourth-round pick, they only have six picks overall.”
Jeremiah’s trade idea would see the Vikings send Washington the 18th pick in Round 1 along with a second-rounder in 2027. Another machination he suggested is pick No. 18 along with pick Nos. 82 and 97 in the third round this year to jump up 11 spots.
“I think there’s a way Minnesota could get from 18 to 7 without even parting with next year’s [first-round pick]. They have two [third-rounders] this year, could be a second-round pick next year,” Jeremiah continued. “If I told you next year the Minnesota Vikings have Kyler Murray at quarterback, Jeremiyah Love at running back, Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, would you sign up to watch that offense?”
Jeremiyah Love Has Superstar Potential in NFL
GettyNotre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Love was a Heisman Trophy finalist after a monster season at Notre Dame in 2025 and is far and away the class of the running back position in this year’s draft.
He finished third in Heisman voting and was an All-American selection after tallying 1,372 rushing yards and 18 TDs on the ground, as well as 27 receptions for 280 yards and three scores through the air in just 12 games played.
At six-feet tall and 212 pounds, Love ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine, finishing with the top-ranked production score and second-ranked athleticism score of all running backs who participated.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote that Love’s best professional comparison is Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions, who went No. 12 in the 2023 draft and is a candidate to reset the market at the position with a contract north of $20 million annually, which he might sign as early as this offseason.
“[Love is a] three-phase running back capable of stressing defenses with big-play speed and untapped pass-catching value,” Zierlein wrote. “He runs with a fierce tempo and processes the front with adequate eyes to find entry points and burst through them.”
Jeremiyah Love Would Like to Play With Vikings, May Be Off Board Before No. 7 Pick
GettyRunning back Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame.
Love’s draft stock is rising, as teams like the Kansas City Chiefs have spent big in free agency on running backs because the superstar product is likely out of their range. The Chiefs select at No. 9, but instead of trading up or risking it, they inked Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to a three-year deal worth $43 million on Monday.
Thus, it is possible that No. 7 will not be high enough to land Love, as the Tennessee Titans could consider him as high as No. 4, while the New York Giants could also be in play with the fifth pick.
However, Minnesota can wait until draft night to see how things play out before moving on any deal, though discussions with Washington could happen far sooner than that.
As for Love himself, he addressed the possibility of landing in Minnesota via the draft last month.
“I would be blessed to go there,” Love said of the Vikings during an appearance on “The Paul Farrington Show” in early February. “Lot of great guys.”
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