Despite the change in coaching, the Baltimore Ravens’ draft process will likely remain the same. From Ozzie Newsome to Eric DeCosta, Brian Billick to John Harbaugh, Baltimore has always leaned on the best player available strategy. That’s not going to change after hiring Jesse Minter this offseason.
This year’s draft strategy in round one will probably center around either a wide receiver or an interior offensive lineman. Those are far and away the top two needs. The Ravens lost Tyler Linderbaum in free agency and have yet to add a wideout opposite of Zay Flowers. Guard is also a possibility, too.
If the draft board falls in a certain direction, though, another position could be in the cards: running back. If Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love falls all the way to pick 14, it’d be hard to think Eric DeCosta would pass on him.
Baltimore Ravens could add an embarrassment of riches by drafting Jeremiyah Love
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports believes Baltimore is among the top landing spots for Love. Podell wrote:
“...Henry is now 32 years old, so it's fair for the Ravens to begin planning for the future at the running back position in order to continue to take some of the rushing burden off of two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson's plate…Plus, new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle comes over from the Bears, where he helped Chicago have the league's No. 3 run game, 144.5 rushing yards per game, under head coach Ben Johnson. This could be an ideal home for Love.”
Podell isn’t the only one to think through this lens. In a recent mock draft by The Athletic, Baltimore reporter Jeff Zrebiec selected Love 14th overall. Zrebiec wrote:
“Love…is too good to resist. Derrick Henry is 32, and the Ravens don’t have his successor on the roster. Love is a home run hitter who will bring juice to an offense that will have a new look with Declan Doyle directing the show.”
The Ravens are already one of the most dominant rushing teams in football. They’ve been in the top three in rushing in every season under Lamar Jackson. These past two years with Derrick Henry in the backfield, they’ve hit unheard of levels of dominance. Add Love into the mix, and you’d have something out of a movie.
Sure, Baltimore already has Henry, who has yet to show signs of slowing down, but at 32 years old, Father Time feels inevitable. He’s got to slow down at some point…right? Even if he doesn’t slow down, his contract ends following the 2027 season, and after Keaton Mitchell signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Ravens need a running back for their future. Love is that and so much more.
There’s a case to be made where Love is considered the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s the definition of a game-changing do-it-all back.
As a runner, he brings elite speed and burst, vision, and elusiveness, all of which make him a nuisance to bring down on pretty much every carry.
In the passing game, he shows impressive ability as both a pass catcher and run blocker. He also knows how to get open and be a trustworthy security blanket for whoever his quarterback ends up being.
Of course, this all seems far out of the realm of possibilities. It’d take a shocking draft fall for Love to even be available at 14, and with other major needs, it wouldn’t necessarily be a guarantee that the Ravens would select him if he’s there. Still, it’s an intriguing pairing that would bring even more electricity to an already dangerous offense. Love would not only be a luxury but also a centerpiece for the future of Baltimore's franchise.