The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next April, a city where the Bucs found success this preseason with a last-second field goal to defeat the Steelers. Before next April, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft.
PFF’s Max Chadwick recently released the latest 2026 NFL mock draft of the cycle. Within it, the Vikings were attached to star running back and Heisman Trophy finalist, Jeremiyah Love. His year at Notre Dame has allowed him to separate himself from the rest of the running backs in this class by several tiers, and it is something the Vikings could really benefit from having in 2026.
Chadwick explains the pick, writing, “While the Vikings continue to evaluate whether J.J. McCarthy is their long-term answer at quarterback, they can ease some of that burden by adding an elite running back prospect in Jeremiyah Love. The Heisman Trophy finalist has put up a 95.2 PFF grade since 2024, the highest among all running backs in that span, which includes Ashton Jeanty’s monstrous season last year.”
If the team sticks with J.J. McCarthy in 2026, which they likely will, they could help him a lot by giving him a running back like Love. Having a strong running game not only takes the pressure off McCarthy but also makes the defense account for more than just Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison within the offense.