NFL.com's Chad Reuter releases 4-round mock draft
We are officially less than one month away from the 2026 NFL Draft, which means mock draft season is starting to heat up.
NFL.com's Chad Reuter recently released his predictions for next month's draft following the first two weeks of free agency. But unlike most mock drafts we have seen, Reuter projected the first four rounds.
With the fifth overall pick, the draft analyst has the Giants adding a dynamic playmaker in the form of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
"It's still possible John Harbaugh goes for a defensive back like Caleb Downs, mirroring his selections while in Baltimore," wrote Reuter. "An explosive playmaker like Love might be too good to pass up, though, as defenses will need to stay in their gaps on run plays and securely tackle in the open field to prevent the former Notre Dame star from breaking away for big gains."
Measuring in at 6-feet and 212 pounds, Love exploded onto the college football scene as a sophomore in 2024 when he ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns on just 163 carries, good for an average of 6.9 yards per carry. He also added 28 receptions for 237 yards and an additional two scores across 16 games. Notre Dame made it all the way to the National Championship game that season before falling to Ohio State.
Love followed that breakout campaign up by once again averaging 6.9 yards per carry this past season, totaling 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games.
His performance led to him being named Unanimous All-American, in addition to taking home the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back.
"Love is a dynamic weapon as a runner and receiver..." wrote Daniel Jeremiah, who has Love all the way up at No. 2 in his most recent top 50 prospect rankings. "He has elite speed on outside runs to capture the corner and take it the distance. He has a rare ability to make defenders miss without gearing down. His spin move is electric. In the passing game, he can run routes like a wideout. He's smooth, polished and natural. He plucks the ball effortlessly. In pass protection, he is both aware and willing, but he's best utilized out in the route. Overall, Love is a home run hitter and will immediately expand the playbook for his drafting team."