ESPN Fantasy Football on Saquon Barkley

ArticleFantasy football: Dart, Tate and others primed to follow path of 2025 breakouts
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Love was selected third overall in April's draft, which is notable considering that each of the past nine running backs drafted in the top 12 went on to finish top 12 in fantasy points as a rookie. That includes Jeanty, and though you were surely disappointed by his slow start, he still finished sixth among backs in touches and 11th in fantasy points. He was the worst finisher among the aforementioned nine backs, and odds are Love will be better. Skilled as a rusher, receiver and blocker, Love has elite fantasy upside right out of the gate.

STACKED’s take

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Love's top-3 draft pedigree and elite skill set position him for top-12 rookie RB production.

Love is positioned as a 2026 breakout candidate comparable to Jeanty's high-volume rookie season. Selected third overall in April's draft, Love benefits from historical precedent: each of the past nine running backs drafted in the top 12 finished top 12 in fantasy points as a rookie. Skilled as a rusher, receiver and blocker, Love has elite fantasy upside right out of the gate and is expected to outperform Jeanty's sixth-place finish in touches and 11th-place finish in fantasy points.

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