The Minnesota Vikings have a young quarterback in J.J. McCarthy and a running back room full of question marks. While Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason have had their moments, neither offers a guaranteed long-term solution.

That uncertainty has draft experts looking closely at South Bend, where one explosive playmaker might be exactly what Kevin O’Connell needs to unlock his offense in 2026.

Could Jeremiyah Love Be the Answer for the Vikings’ Backfield?

PFSN projects Love to land in Minnesota with the 12th overall pick in their latest NFL mock draft. This move would give the Vikings a premium talent at a position where they currently lack a future cornerstone. The speculation around Love makes sense given his dominant performance this year.

“Jeremiyah Love is quite easily the RB1 in this class and should be the first Irish running back selected in the first round since Jerome Bettis in 1993,” said James Fragoza, the senior content manager for College Football at PFSN. “A former Missouri state champion in the 100-meter dash (10.76 seconds), Love creates instant mismatch problems and can turn small creases into explosive chunk plays on the ground and as a receiver.”

Love is tearing up defenses during his junior campaign, averaging 6.4 yards per carry while rushing for 1,135 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has also proven dangerous through the air, catching 26 passes for 274 yards and three more scores. Those numbers helped him secure the No. 2 spot in PFSN’s college football running back impact rankings with a 90.2 (A-) grade. Even with just 10 games played so far in 2025, he has already set career highs in both rushing and receiving yardage.

The former high school track star brings game-breaking speed and dual-threat ability to the field, plus surprising power for his frame. He projects as a potential three-down bell cow at the next level, making him a highly coveted asset as the draft approaches.

Minnesota currently has Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason under contract for the 2026 season, but that will be their final year with the team. While Jones has been the more effective runner, age is becoming a factor in their performance. He turns 31 in December and has already missed four games this season with a hamstring injury.

Mason arrived via trade from the San Francisco 49ers before the 2025 season began. The fourth-year back has shown flashes of talent but has struggled with consistency. He currently sits at No. 19 in PFSN’s NFL running back impact rankings with a 77.5 (C+) score. Since he provides little production as a receiver, he projects mostly as an early-down option, though he could still earn a spot in the long-term plans if he finishes the year strong.

How Jones and Mason perform down the stretch will likely determine how high Minnesota prioritizes the position in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the lack of a long-term starter, combined with inconsistent production in 2025, suggests that Kevin O’Connell could look for a rookie to support young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Love will certainly be a name to watch as the draft order solidifies and team needs become clearer.