The New York Giants have been linked to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love quite often in the 2026 NFL Draft, as John Harbaugh may want a bell cow superstar to team with fan favorite Cam Skattebo as he recovers from an injury.
The problem, however, is that teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans are in need of a running back that can move the needle, and both of them pick ahead of New York at No. 3 and No. 4 overall, respectively.
If the Giants want a running back, but don't want to spend the premium price on one like Love, one of these Day 3 backs coul come into the fray and play alongside Skattebo with a good deal of aplomb.
5 running backs Giants could draft if they miss on Jeremiyah Love
5. J'Mari Taylor, Virginia
After four years at HBCU North Carolina Central, Taylor starred with the Cavaliers on the back of his solid speed and nose for the end zone (29 touchdowns since 2024). The Giants will need to work with Taylor to fix his jittery running style and lack of receiving upside despite his explosion.
4. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
Claiborne is another solid Skattebo running mate due to his big play potential. That explosion has made him a bell cow at the collegiate level. However, Harbaugh typically values backs who can block and grind yards between the tackles, and Claiborne can do neither right now.
3. Nick Singleton, Penn State
Singleton is a sledgehammer who runs like he has something to prove on every rep, and he has oodles more upside as a receiver than many other big backs with his style of play. That bowling ball style will appeal to Harbaugh, even though there are concerns about his redundancy alongside Skattebo and his lack of elusiveness.
2. Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M
Moss is going to fall due to some injury concerns and an inability to do much outside of being a one-cut runner. However, he can really tote the rock. With a hard-charging style that belies his size, amazing contact balance, and some shiftiness in between the tackles, Moss is the type of running back Harbaugh has historically valued.
1. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
The better of the two Penn State running backs, Allen shows more big-play potential, elusiveness as a runner, and patience behind the line of scrimmage than Singleton. Oh, and he can still run through a wall if he gets some speed behind him. No Day 3 back would be better for this offense.