ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders signed Rachaad White and Jerome Ford this week, but the backfield still feels like a collection of spare parts. To truly unlock Jayden Daniels in 2026, General Manager Adam Peters needs to ignore the veteran depth and hunt for a superstar. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is that superstar, and the board is finally leaning Washington’s way.
The Need for a Home-Run Hitter
Washington’s current “younger and faster” mantra doesn’t quite match the reality of their running back room. While Jeremy McNichols and Jacory Croskey-Merritt offer depth, they don’t force defensive coordinators to lose sleep. The Commanders need a threat that makes the stadium shake every time the ball is snapped. Jeremiyah Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry over his final two college seasons and bagged the Doak Walker Award for a reason. He doesn’t just run; he disappears into the second level.
The veteran additions of White and Ford provide a floor, but Love provides the ceiling. Last season, the Washington offense looked stagnant when Daniels couldn’t find a vertical lane. Adding a back with 4.36 speed changes the math for every linebacker in the NFC East. If the defense has to account for Love’s home-run potential on every RPO, Daniels will have passing windows the size of the Potomac.
“It’ll be great. I feel like we’ll be a great little duo in the backfield. Jayden Daniels can use his feet very well and pass the ball very well. And then you add me in there… I feel like me and Jayden Daniels pair together pretty well.”
— Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB (via X)
The NFC East Arms Race
Look around the division. The Cowboys now field a terrifying receiver duo in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The Eagles still have Saquon Barkley punishing defensive lines. Even the Giants, despite their quarterback questions, have Malik Nabers making highlight reels weekly. Meanwhile, Terry McLaurin is entering his 11th season and the Commanders lack a secondary punch that scares elite units.
Drafting Love at No. 7 overall isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity to keep pace. ESPN’s Field Yates recently projected the board to fall perfectly for Washington. With the Titans eyeing wideout Carnell Tate to help Cam Ward, and the Giants looking at defensive help like Caleb Downs, the path for Love to land in Ashburn is wide open. Peters has the draft capital to make this happen, and the fan base is ready for a backfield that produces fireworks instead of just moving the chains.
