A year ago, the 2025 NFL Draft had a loaded running back group topped by one of the best prospects in the class with Boise State'sAshton Jeanty.
It's looking like a repeat in 2026 - at least at the top.
Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love is one of the best running back prospects in recent memory. His talents are in the same class as the likes of Jeanty,Bijan RobinsonandJahmyr Gibbs. Like Robinson in 2023, Love is the top non-quarterback prospect in the class on offense. He provided what the modern NFL wants out of running backs: breakaway speed, receiving abilities and a track record of generating yards after contact.
Love enters the2026 NFL Draftas the runaway top prospect at the position in a tier of his own. Running backs have traditionally been devalued recently; no running backs were selected in the first round in 2024 or 2022. That won't be the case this April.
Love is a lock for the first round, so the only debate is where he'll end up in the first 32 picks. Every team should be clamoring for his services, considering the playmaking he can add to an offense as a rookie but some teams are better fits than others.
Here are four fits for the Notre Dame star:
3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection
Jeremiyah Love's best NFL fits
Tennessee Titans
To be clear, we are limiting this list to teams who have a realistic shot at drafting Love as the order currently stands. He'd be a fit for nearly the entire league on talent alone but some teams stand out with opportunity or environment. The Titans are the former.
Tennessee spent much of its expansive cap spacethis offseason on adding reliable veteran defensive talent for new head coach Robert Saleh via signings and trades. That should raise the floor of that unit as a whole and leave upgrades for the offense to the NFL draft.
At No. 4 overall, Tennessee looks poised to go offense with its first selection. Love would be the best use of those resources. He'd fill an immediate need at the position and be the top playmaker for second-year quarterbackCam Wardin his first year under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. The Titans' offensive line is a bit of a question mark with new starters and a new position coach in Carmen Bricillo who followed Daboll from the New York Giants. That leaves some concern but his yards after contact per carry (4.35 for his career) show he can make it work without ideal talent around him.
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NFL DRAFT ODDS:Which team will draft Jeremiyah Love?
Washington Commanders
Washington needs more playmakers on offense forJayden Danielsunder new coordinator David Blough. The Commanders at No. 7 seem like the floor for Love's draft stock as things stand.
The team added some free agents on offense, but none of them compares to Love's game-changing abilities. Washington's offensive line was arguably the strongest part of the unit as a whole in 2025 and should be able to create enough room for the Notre Dame star.
He'd immediately make the quarterback run game more effective with Daniels and add abundant value as a receiver. They may not need him to use those skills quite as much withRachaad Whiteon the roster via free agency but that could see two-back sets with two receiving threats with Daniels.
New York Giants
John Harbaugh just oversaw his best offense in Baltimore, thanks to a top-tier running back inDerrick Henry. Joe Schoen is likely sick of seeing and reading about lettingSaquon Barkleygo before the 2024 NFL season, when Barkley went on to power a dominant Eagles Super Bowl run.
After free agency, running back isn't a glaring need for the Giants on offense but the need for more playmakers certainly is. Love's lone concern out of college is that he split carries for much of his career. Pairing him withCam Skattebocertainly eases those concerns and provides a dynamic playmaker alongsideMalik NabersforJaxson Dartin year two.
There are concerns about the offensive line heading into the draft, but the rest of the Giants' draft capital can address that as well as receiver, though theDarnell MooneyandCalvin Austinsignings make that a bit less pressing.
Los Angeles Rams
Okay, we had to put in one team that would be Love's floor if he drops for some shocking reason. This fit may be the most exciting of all.
Los Angeles is all-in to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026 after trading for cornerbackTrent McDuffieand signing his former Chiefs teammateJaylen Watsonto a big-money contract as well. The young defense will get expensive sooner than later, and the offense has to keep pace with last season, even after right tackleRob Havenstein retired.
All respect to fellow Notre Dame running backKyren Williamsbut Love would be a game-changing threat behind the Rams' stout offensive line. Los Angeles could easily be the most explosive offense in the league with this move. Purely for the excitement of watching football, this fit would be incredible.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jeremiyah Love's best fits: Titans, Giants lead NFL draft landing spots