The long buildup to the NFL Draft is just about over, and each NFL team will make its selections that will shape the future of its organization. One key name who will walk across the stage to find out where he will begin his professional career is Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

The 20-year-old finished third in Heisman Trophy voting this year. Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 280 yards through the air and three receiving scores. Love is the consensus top running back of this draft class and is expected to be one of the first names called after the draft kicks off.

Taking a look at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, there are a variety of options for wagering on Love’s draft outlook. Currently, the Notre Dame product is the favorite to be the fourth overall pick at +100 odds. He holds -400 odds of being a top-five pick, and his over/under for draft selection is 5.5, with the over holding +275 odds.

Where will Jeremiyah Love get drafted?

Running backs have taken a hit to their value in the NFL in recent years. Ashton Jeanty was the highest drafted running back in seven years last season, when he was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. He was joined by Omarion Hampton in the first round after he was drafted 22nd overall. There was not a running back selected in the first round in 2024, but Bijan Robinson was selected eighth and Jahmyr Gibbs was drafted 12th in 2023.

The last running back to be drafted in the top five was Saquon Barkley in 2018, when the Giants selected him with the second overall pick. Leonard Fournette was selected fourth overall in 2017, Ezekiel Elliott was drafted fourth overall in 2016, and Trent Richardson was the lone other running back to be selected in the top five since 2010, as he was drafted third overall in 2012.

But Love is the caliber of talent that has opened the eyes of NFL organizations and played his way into this top-five conversation these past three seasons. Looking at the NFL Draft order for the top five:

1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants

Taking a peek at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook for each selection, Love holds these odds of being drafted in each slot.

• +25,000 odds of being drafted first overall
• +8,000 odds of being drafted second overall
• +200 odds of being drafted third overall
• +100 odds of being drafted fourth overall
• +425 odds of being drafted fifth overall

Oddsmakers make it pretty clear that it is expected Love will hear his name called in the top five. The -400 odds of backing him to be selected in the first five picks are a bit steep to lay.

Personally, the +200 odds of Love being selected with the third overall pick is my favorite value of these selections. Currently, James Conner is the top running back on the Arizona Cardinals roster, but he saw his season end in Week 3 after a season-ending ankle injury. Tyler Allgeier, Bam Knight and Trey Benson will each also have an opportunity. None of these names are locks to be key parts of the Cardinals’ roster moving forward, and Love would provide a jolt of life to this offense.

Beyond this, Arizona has made it clear it is open for business from a trade perspective. There are plenty of talented players at the top of this draft class, but Love is the type of player a team would be willing to move up for. Whether it is on the Cardinals directly or a team moving up to leapfrog the Titans and select the Notre Dame product themselves, I am backing the +200 odds of Love being drafted third overall.