NFL draft: Which team is most likely to pick Jeremiyah Love?
Round 1 of the NFL draft is exactly four weeks away, and the projected order of the top-10 picks could not be less clear.
Fernando Mendoza is all but guaranteed to hear his name called first by the Las Vegas Raiders, but nothing is set in stone after that. Although defensive players dominate the top of the draft class, a few offensive prospects appear to be climbing draft boards - most notably, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Love will almost certainly be selected inside the top 10, with the Tennessee Titans the favorites to make him the first skill-position player off the board at No. 4.
The Titans are -150 (60% implied probability) to pick Love on theScore Bet. The Washington Commanders, who hold the seventh pick, are second on the oddsboard at +300.
Team to draft Love odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Titans | -150 |
| Commanders | +300 |
| Giants | +400 |
| Cardinals | +850 |
| Vikings | +1600 |
| Rams | +2200 |
| Bears | +3000 |
| Chiefs | +3000 |
| Jets | +3000 |
| Bengals | +3500 |
| Saints | +3500 |
π Bet on the 2026 NFL Draft with theScore Bet here (market subject to availability)
Love profiles to be an explosive all-purpose back worthy of a high selection, bucking the trend that teams should avoid using premium picks on one of the least valuable positions. For years, it was widely considered a faux pas to take a running back in the top 10 because of injury risk, their shorter average career length, and the relative ease of finding capable replacements.
However, the early success of Bijan Robinson (No. 8 overall) and Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 12 overall) may have made teams more willing to reach on a running back, especially if they're comfortable with the rest of their roster.
The Titans were very active in the early stages of free agency, mainly focusing on revamping their defense. They traded for pass-rusher Jermaine Johnson II and signed John Franklin-Myers, adding to a defensive line that already featured Jeffery Simmons. Providing second-year quarterback Cam Ward with offensive weapons should be next on their agenda. Selecting Love to take over a backfield previously led by an aging Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears seems like a no-brainer.
But Tennessee brought in defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh, who may push to take one of the top edge rushers in the draft - David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr., or Arvell Reese - with the fourth pick. If the Titans opt to go that route, they may have one of the most dangerous pass rushes in the NFL.
The Commanders are in a similar position to the Titans, and NFL insider Adam Schefter recently tied Love to Washington.
"I do not see (Love) going to Tennessee," Schefter said on the "The Pat McAfee Show." "I do not see him going to the Giants at No. 5. ... To me, a place that makes sense, today, a month out, would be the Washington Commanders."
The Commanders spent big in free agency on defensive players, addressing their nonexistent pass rush with Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson. They also signed linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross, and cornerback Amik Robertson, filling holes all over their defense. That sets up their potential selection of Love, who would form a dynamic duo with quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Giants have the third-shortest odds and hold the fifth pick in the draft. They're expected to use the pick on a defensive player, with linebacker Sonny Styles the +200 favorite to be taken fifth overall. New York may be a bit more hesitant to use a high pick on a running back than other teams. The franchise drafted Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018 but couldn't reach an agreement on a contract extension after his rookie deal and ultimately let him walk for nothing in free agency.
The Cardinals hold the third pick and are +850 to draft Love. But Arizona has glaring weaknesses up and down its roster, so it wouldn't make much sense for the franchise to take a running back instead of addressing more important needs.
Before free agency started, many mock drafts had Love falling to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9. However, the Chiefs seemed to realize Love likely wouldn't be available when they were on the clock, so they signed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III instead.
US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at www.connexontario.ca.