Jeremiyah Love — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Love instantly lifts a healthy portion of the workload from QB Tyler Shough's shoulders as a three-down home run hitter.

Speaking of drafting nonpremium positions early, the Saints could have a similar conversation if Love is there at this pick. He is my No. 1 overall player and a dynamic running back with the talent to be a Bijan Robinson-level threat in the run and passing game. And the Saints have a need at running back with Alvin Kamara entering his age-31 season and no back on the roster emerging as a successor. Love's ability to break off long runs -- he had three touchdown runs of more than 90 yards in college -- speaks to his vision and acceleration at 6-foot and 214 pounds. He had 42 total touchdowns in three seasons and shows NFL-ready ability as a three-down, impact running back who would immediately take pressure off quarterback Tyler Shough.

Love has legit track speed and high-end acceleration. He can stop on a dime and redirect with rare change-of-direction ability, while playing with good contact balance and the footwork to jump-cut to avoid defenders before hitting the crease.

Love is one of the most talented players in the class, owning an elite 93.7 PFF rushing grade and a 72.7 PFF receiving grade in 2025. He is the ideal blend of size, strength, balance and explosiveness to impact the game on all three downs at a high level. This is Jahmyr Gibbs — but bigger.

This feels like the steal of our mock, but if Kansas City passes on Love at No. 10 and no one else trades up, this isn't an unimaginable outcome.

The Vikings need help in the backfield, and Love could enter the Bijan Robinson-Jahmyr Gibbs-Christian McCaffrey tier before long.

Chiefs running backs haven't topped 4.1 combined yards per carry in a season since 2022 (4.5) -- Eric Bieniemy's last year as offensive coordinator. With Bieniemy back and Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt both bound for free agency, Kansas City could seek a ball-carrier with the big-play potential to alleviate some of the pressure on Patrick Mahomes to produce explosive plays from the pocket.

I love -- no pun intended -- the idea of pairing Tyler Shough with the most electric playmaker in the draft.