Sharp Football Analysis' latest NFL mock draft has jolted what had been a quiet and largely predictable 2026 running back market.
For weeks, Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love had been pegged as a mid-first-round selection, with several projections linking him to the New Orleans Saints at No. 8 or the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9.
That outlook shifted dramatically when Sharp's post-Combine mock placed Love at No. 4 overall to the Tennessee Titans, a move that would make him one of the highest-drafted running backs of the modern era.
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Love delivered the kind of performance that forces front offices to recalibrate.
He posted an official 4.36-second 40-yard dash, ranking among the fastest backs in attendance, an eye-opening time for a 212-pound runner.
He also showcased smooth explosiveness and natural receiving ability during on-field drills, reinforcing the three-down versatility that defined his college résumé.
That rare combination of size, speed, and pass-catching upside pushed Love from fringe top-10 consideration into legitimate top-five conversation.
Love finished his Notre Dame career as one of the most productive backs in the country - a Doak Walker Award winner, unanimous All-American, and Heisman finalist after rushing for 1,372 yards and 21 total touchdowns in 2025 while averaging 6.9 yards per carry.
He topped 100 rushing yards in half his games that season and broke multiple school scoring records.
Across his career in South Bend, Love amassed nearly 2,900 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, flashing home-run speed and legitimate receiving upside.
Tennessee's backfield, meanwhile, has been anchored by Tony Pollard and complemented by Tyjae Spears, but the pairing hasn't produced a consistent, game-changing presence.
Injuries, efficiency dips, and committee usage limited the ceiling, and with Pollard nearing 30, the long-term outlook at the position remains unsettled.
But history makes this far from a slam dunk.
Since 2000, very few running backs were selected inside the top five, reflecting the league's reluctance to invest premium capital at the position.
Names like Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Trent Richardson, Reggie Bush, and Darren McFadden illustrate the volatility, from immediate All-Pro production to outright disappointment.
So could Tennessee actually pull the trigger at No. 4? It's possible, though far from certain.
Drafting a running back that high means bypassing premium positions like edge rusher, offensive tackle, or quarterback.
But if internal evaluations view Love as a rare, scheme-transcendent weapon, and if the board breaks unfavorably at other spots, it becomes a defensible, if aggressive, swing.
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