Story by
2026 NFL mock draft: How high does RB Jeremiyah Love go?
- Story by
- 2026 NFL mock draft: How high does RB Jeremiyah Love go?
As NFL free agency has cooled down and players are getting to know their new homes, teams turned to college Pro Days for one last look at the 2026 NFL Draft class in person.
There are only a few key Pro Days left. Notably, the national champion Indiana Hoosiers will showcase their skills one last time on Wednesday, April 1. Likely No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and the rest of Curt Cignetti's standout class will be on hand to show scouts what made them the best team in college football.
Advertisement
That remains the final hurdle ahead of the fast-approaching 2026 NFL Draft. Teams stated their intentions and made moves during free agency that reflect how they see themselves.
This draft is marked by talent on defense at the top but at non-premium positions like linebacker and safety. There's a rising crop of wide receivers who could find homes to be major contributors as rookies.
And don't forget the most dynamic offensive player in the class: running back Jeremiyah Love . Could the Notre Dame star be the highest-draft running back since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 overall in 2018? Here's our latest projection for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft:
2026 NFL mock draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders : QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The Raiders traded away Geno Smith and that all but clears the way for Mendoza to be the No. 1 pick. He plays in a style similar to that of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow , a Heisman Trophy winner with ideal size (6-foot-5, 236 pounds) who operates like a point guard behind the offensive line. Klint Kubiak has a quarterback of the future to work with.
Advertisement
2. New York Jets : LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Without a clear quarterback option worthy of the No. 2 pick, New York goes with the best player available and that's Reese. The Buckeyes' linebacker took a leap in 2025 and will be a top-three pick. The only question is where. With the additions New York made on defense via free agency, Reese will not be pushed to make a leap as a pass rusher as a rookie. He can operate alongside Demario Davis and gradually reach his sky-high ceiling.
3. Arizona Cardinals : OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Arizona could go many ways with this pick but taking the top offensive lineman in the class. He spent the last two years at right tackle for the Utes and that's a position of need. Fano could take over at right tackle or spend his rookie season on the interior to shore things up in front of Jacoby Brissett . His athleticism and footwork give him a high ceiling.
Advertisement
4. Tennessee Titans : RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The idea of getting another defensive playmaker has to be tempting for Robert Saleh but the Titans' second-year quarterback needs help on offense, specifically with more playmakers. Love is on the level of Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson as a dynamic prospect with versatility as a runner and a receiver. He wouldn't have to shoulder the load as the only option in the running back room with Tony Pollard in the building. This crucially gives the Titans a big name on offense ahead of their move to a new stadium in 2027.
NFL DRAFT ODDS: Which team will draft Jeremiyah Love?
Advertisement
5. New York Giants : WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
New York has a new staff under John Harbaugh and the primary objective has to be an improvement on offense for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart . One way to do that is to get him another great target in the passing game opposite Malik Nabers . Tate's allergy to drops and threat vertically, thanks to his contested catch abilities, will complement what Nabers brings as the No. 1 option in the passing game.
6. Cleveland Browns : OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
It's between wide receiver or offensive tackle at No. 6 for Cleveland. Even with three additions in free agency up front, we have the Browns dipping back to that position again. Mauigoa played right tackle for the Hurricanes and could start there over Tytus Howard or kick inside to guard to give Cleveland their best five up front. There are more wide receivers to be had later on; that's not the case at tackle.
Advertisement
7. Washington Commanders : LB Sonny Styles , Ohio State
Washington has plenty of needs, but at this point in the draft, the team should take the best player available. Styles is a dynamic threat and the Commanders signed enough talent to shore up the edge position. Washington needs to get younger and more athletic on defense compared to a year ago and Styles certainly helps with both. In a division with potent running games in Philadelphia and Dallas , Washington needs a player like Styles on defense to wreak some havoc.
8. New Orleans Saints : Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
New Orleans needs more threats off the edge beyond Chase Young and one of the most prolific edge rushers in college football last season is a great way to go. His length, burst and bend will give him the tools to produce right away. He's the most pro-ready edge rusher in the class and should be a designated pass rusher at the very least from Day 1.
Advertisement
9. Kansas City Chiefs : Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
Kansas City has to generate more pressure on defense in 2026, especially on crucial downs. Bain is a power rusher who knows how to maximize his frame despite his short arms. Kansas City likes powerful rushers - looking at you, George Karlaftis - and Bain could be another edge in that mold. He's productive enough not to require a lot of projection for this Chiefs defense.
10. Cincinnati Bengals : CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Cincinnati's secondary has to improve and getting the top cornerback prospect in the class is a fantastic way to do so. He's a leaner cornerback but wins with impressive technique for a prospect of his age. The Bengals need contributors who can have an impact from Day 1 and Delane can do that on the outside.
Advertisement
11. Miami Dolphins : S Caleb Downs , Ohio State
Miami is loaded with more draft capital in the first three rounds than any other team in the NFL and ends up with one of the best prospects in the class. Downs could thrive under Jeff Hafley after what the former Packers defensive coordinator did in Green Bay . He's a high-football IQ defensive back with the right mix of athleticism and power to handle myriad coverage assignments as well as run defense from multiple spots.
12. Dallas Cowboys : CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Dallas would've loved to see Styles fall to them here but they'll gladly take the next-best cornerback in the class in McCoy. He missed 2025 with an ACL injury but his 2024 tape shows a prototypical cornerback with scheme versatility and solid ball skills. Dallas needs to improve its pass defense, especially in the secondary, and does so here.
Advertisement
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta ): TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Los Angeles wanted to trade up for Brock Bowers two years ago. In this scenario, the Rams can't help but get the elite offensive skill position prospect in Sadiq. He joins former Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson in Los Angeles but brings a more field-stretching presence thanks to his outlier athleticism. Los Angeles' 13 personnel packages would suddenly get even more dangerous.
14. Baltimore Ravens : IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Baltimore has plenty of needs on offense and defense but protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson is a major priority. The team takes the best player available here and upgrades the interior with the top interior offensive lineman in the class. Ioane has the mix of size, power and footwork to thrive sooner than later.
Advertisement
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Mike Evans is gone and Tampa Bay has a promising crop of young wideouts in Emeka Egbuka , Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson . Tyson could end up as the No. 1 receiver in the future, though. His injury history may drop him down the board but Tampa Bay will be happy to pick him up. Tyson can separate against defenders regularly and is a plus route-runner in this class.
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis ): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
New York could use another wideout on the outside opposite Garrett Wilson . Boston's a reliable big body who can go up and get passes from Geno Smith or a different quarterback in the future. The Huskies' standout can track the ball well downfield and is no slouch as a run blocker, either.
Advertisement
JETS MOCK DRAFT New York picks Arvell Reese, potential QB of the future
17. Detroit Lions : OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Taylor Decker 's departure leaves a huge hole on the offensive line for a team that's relied on the strength of that position group for years. Freeling spent the last two years at left tackle for the Bulldogs with an ideal frame and good athleticism. He went from 21 allowed pressures in 2024 to eight in 2025. His familiarity with the position could keep star Penei Sewell on the right side and ease the pressure on Giovanni Manu to take over as a starter.
18. Minnesota Vikings : S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Thieneman showed off his athleticism at the NFL Combine after putting on a great display of versatility last fall in Oregon. He's a movable piece that Brian Flores could deploy throughout the Vikings' defense and help the team move on from franchise icon Harrison Smith.
Advertisement
19. Carolina Panthers : WR Makai Lemon, USC
Carolina got a big-bodied outside receiver in Round 1 last year with Tetairoa McMillan and now finds a running mate for him with the slot standout Lemon. The Trojans' star finds space against zone coverage consistently and always finds ways to get extra yards after the catch.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay ): Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Dallas could use a linebacker here but instead opts for a toolsy pass rusher in Faulk to upgrade the defense. He's one of the younger prospects in the class with good length and burst with alignment versatility for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Advertisement
21. Pittsburgh Steelers : CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Pittsburgh brought in Jamel Dean from Tampa Bay, but given his injury history, could use another cornerback to have in-house for the future. Terrell is slightly undersized yet plays bigger than his frame and is a turnover machine, especially in run defense with forcing fumbles.
22. Los Angeles Chargers : Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
The Chargers addressed needs on offense in free agency and need more help on defense, especially at edge. Parker can set the edge in run defense with his power and can take on a larger role as a pass rusher with time and development.
Advertisement
23. Philadelphia Eagles : OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Philadelphia's offensive line has multiple question marks. Landon Dickerson went to Colombia for stem cell treatment on his knees and ankles and was considering retirement. Lane Johnson missed time with injury as well. Proctor is an outlier prospect at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds and could stay on the interior to take over for Dickerson in case of injury before eventually growing into a successor for Dickerson.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville ): WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Cleveland grabbed a top offensive lineman with their top first-round pick, so they address more offensive weapons later in the first round. Cooper Jr. plays the position like a running back with power to win contested catches and force missed tackles.
Advertisement
25. Chicago Bears : S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Chicago lost Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard in free agency and still has a glaring need on the back end. Luckily, the board lines up with that need pretty well with McNeil-Warren, Toledo's latest top defensive back prospect. He has the size and speed to hang in coverage and brings a hard-hitting edge in run defense as well.
26. Buffalo Bills : DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Woods looked like a top-five pick a year ago but a down year for the Tigers' defense saw his stock diminish. Still, he's a potential playmaker on the defensive line and the Bills could use more of them if they want to contend with the AFC's best.
Advertisement
27. San Francisco 49ers : OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
The Trent Williams situation remains a dynamic conversation so San Francisco opts to safeguard against his potential departure by getting a promising tackle prospect. Lomu played on the left side in Utah and has a high ceiling thanks to his athleticism and foot speed. He needs more development and could start at guard to begin his career if Williams returns in 2026.
28. Houston Texans : DT Caleb Banks, Florida
Houston's defense is one of the scariest units in the NFL and should be that once again in 2026 but they have a need on the interior. Banks could shore that up in a big way. A foot injury at the combine may drop his stock but he's one of the best at the position in the class at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds.
Advertisement
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams ): CB Chris Johnson , San Diego State
Kansas City got this pick from Los Angeles in return for cornerback Trent McDuffie so the Chiefs draft his potential successor. Johnson's a small-school standout with the size, length and athleticism to fit multiple schemes. He could quickly earn a starting role on the outside.
SUPER BOWL ODDS: Ranking each team before 2026 NFL Draft
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos ): CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Miami continues to overhaul its secondary and take the best player available in Hood. The Volunteers' cornerback took on a bigger role with McCoy's injury in 2025 and proved himself worthy of first-round consideration with prototypical size. He's at his best in zone which could be a good fit under Hafley.
Advertisement
31. New England Patriots : DT Christen Miller, Georgia
The board doesn't make much sense at this point to go with an offensive lineman to help protect Drake Maye so the Patriots instead invest in the defensive line to get Milton Williams a solid running mate. Miller is a strong presence in the middle at 6-foot-4 and 321 pounds who needs some work as a pass rusher. His anchor in run defense will be a big help for the Patriots' defense, though.
32. Seattle Seahawks : RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
The Seahawks have to draft for need at this point, considering their limited draft resources and a huge need at running back. Kenneth Walker III is gone and Zach Charbonnet is recovering from his ACL tear in January. Price was an impressive understudy to Love in Notre Dame with pass-catching skills and breakaway speed. He'll split carries with George Holani before Charbonnet works his way back into the lineup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL mock draft: Predictions following major moves in free agency
