Jeremiyah Love will get selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. That the former Notre Dame running back will go on the first day isn't really up for debate. What is in question is just where in the first round he'll go. One new mock draft released this week shows that the former Fighting Irish star is dropping a bit in some analysts' eyes.
All kinds of teams could use a running back with Love's talents. In fact, enough teams are looking for an impact running back that his college teammate Jadarian Price might go in the first round as well. But could Love slide all the way down to the second half of the league?
According to Nicholas Rome of Saturday Blitz, the ex-Notre Dame star will slip a bit. While some mock drafts have Love even going in the first 10 picks, Rome has the running back dropping to No. 18 and the Minnesota Vikings.
Jeremiyah Love landing with Vikings could be better than it looks
At first glance, Love dropping that far would be one heck of a slight. There's an awful lot of teams ahead of the Vikings that could use a star rusher.
Roundtable Sports is one of those that believes Love could go in the Top 10 if the New Orleans Saints decide they want to boost their offense after a late-season turnaround made the rebuild look closer to being complete than first thought.
However, if Rome is right and the Vikings end up being the lucky winners of the Jeremiyah Love sweepstakes, it could be a nice landing spot for the Fighting Irish star. It's been a while since Minny has had a centerpiece running back. However, when the team has had that kind of player, they've known how to use him.
The team also has a talented offensive mind in head coach Kevin O'Connell. Considering Love has shown an ability to be an impact player both on the ground and through the air, Minnesota would likely bring out the best in Jeremiyah Love.
The former Notre Dame running back would almost certainly not be thrilled about dropping to No. 18 in the 2026 NFL Draft. There's an argument to be made that it wouldn't be the worst thing for him.