Bengals can capitalize on unlikely 2026 NFL Draft path, and they look open to it by hosting elite prospect
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love visited the Cincinnati Bengals with the 2026 NFL Draft just two weeks away. Here is what would need to happen for this unlikely draft pairing to become a reality.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love officially visited with the Cincinnati Bengals Monday afternoon.
Love, the consensus top RB in the 2026 NFL Draft, has already made visits with two teams picking in the top-five of the first round. Cincinnati has now officially made its interest known, but it’s not the first point of contact between the player and team.
Bengals have already shown interest in Jeremiyah Love
The Bengals talked with Love earlier in the pre-draft process. Running backs coach Justin Hill watched the 20-year old work out at Notre Dame’s pro day last month and spoke with him afterwards.
Taking a 30 visit the month of the draft indicates there is real interest in Love from the Bengals side. There’s just one issue: His position.
Are the Bengals positioned to invest a top-10 pick in a RB when their defense still needs help both in the long and short-term? That can be argued from both sides of the fence. What’s worth discussing is what would need to happen for Cincy to make Love its first-round pick later this month.
Why Jeremiyah Love could be available for Bengals to draft
Whether or not you believe investing a top-10 pick in a RB is a good idea, there’s no denying Love is among the very best players in this year’s draft. He has a good argument to be the best overall player, not just at his position or side of the ball.
The very reason why he could be available at No. 10 is because of the position he plays.
Love will sign a four-year contract sometime this offseason. If he’s drafted No. 2 overall, the projected total value would be about $56 million in guaranteed money. Even if he’s the Bengals’ pick at No. 10, it would be a four-year, $31 million deal, completely guaranteed.
That’s a lot of real money for a tailback.
The allure of investing in players who play expensive positions can allow Love to slip through the cracks. Cincinnati being his landing spot is dependent on how the board ultimately looks.
What players would need to be off the board?
It’s no secret the Bengals want to add a defensive player with their first-round pick for the forth time in five drafts.
The top three edge defenders are in play. The top linebacker is right there with them. Potentially both of the top cornerbacks as well. These are the names to note:
EDGE Arvell Reese
EDGE David Bailey
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
LB Sonny Styles
CB Jermod McCoy
CB Mansoor Delane
I believe Cincinnati would take almost every single one of these players before Love, purely because of need and positional value. If all six names go off the board, along with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and at least one offensive lineman and wide receiver, then Love would be the odd man out and he could be the pick.
This doesn’t even include safety Caleb Downs. Cincinnati passing on the top safety for the top running back could be justified considering the investments in Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger to go with incumbent starter Jordan Battle.
It’s a convoluted path to arrive at the Bengals drafting Love, but it is possible, and their interest in him makes it all the more noteworthy.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News
Controversial 2026 NFL Draft fit for Jeremiyah Love could give the dynamic playmaker the inside track to OROY honors
There is one potential 2026 NFL Draft landing spot that could fully unlock the upside of former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
