New Giants Rumors on Links to Jeremiyah Love, Kenneth Walker III, Top RBs in NFL Draft, FA

The New York Giants are reportedly rumored to be in the market for a big-name running back in either the 2026 NFL draft or free agency.

According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, there has been talk at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Giants are linked to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, as well as free agents such as Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne.

Raanan noted that "there seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team" within the Giants organization following the arrival of new head coach John Harbaugh.

Harbaugh reportedly wanting to commit to the run isn't particularly surprising since the Baltimore Ravens ranked third or better in rushing yards per game in each of his final eight seasons as the team's head coach from 2018 to 2025.

A big part of the Ravens' rushing success was the dual-threat ability of quarterback Lamar Jackson, and Harbaugh will have a similar type of quarterback with the Giants in Jaxson Dart.

Harbaugh also had a stud at running back over his final two seasons in Baltimore, though, in the form of Derrick Henry.

It isn't yet clear if the Giants have a running back of that caliber, which may explain why they are reportedly looking into other options.

Cam Skattebo did some great things after the Giants selected him in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft, racking up 617 total yards and seven touchdowns in eight games.

However, an open tibia fracture, ruptured deltoid ligament and right ankle dislocation cut his rookie campaign short, and there is no telling how the injury might impact him moving forward.

Tyrone Tracy, a 2024 fifth-round pick, stepped up to accrue 1,028 yards from scrimmage last season after finishing with 1,123 total yards as a rookie.

The Giants undoubtedly have some talent at running back, but Love is widely regarded as the best running back and one of the best overall prospects in the 2026 NFL draft.

After rushing for 1,372 yards and scoring 21 total touchdowns last season at Notre Dame, Love finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Love ranked third overall on the BR NFL Scouting Department's latest big board, meaning the Giants would likely have to use the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft in order to get him, if he is even still available at that point.

As for Walker and Etienne, both are coming off big 2025 seasons, and they could be in line for some significant raises in free agency.

Mostly working in a tandem with Zach Charbonnet in the Seattle Seahawks' backfield, Walker rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns last season, but he truly showed what he could do in the playoffs.

With Charbonnet out injured, Walker accounted for 417 yards and four touchdowns in three playoff games, and he was named the MVP of Seattle's Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

As for Etienne, he bounced back from a career-worst year in 2024 to rush for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while also catching 36 passes for 292 yards and an additional six scores.

Any of Love, Walker or Etienne would add another dimension to New York's running game, although it is unclear what bringing one of them in would mean for Skattebo and Tracy.