Bengals show clear interest in elite 2026 NFL Draft prospect they’d be incredibly lucky to pick
The Cincinnati Bengals were seen talking to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at his pro day.
The Cincinnati Bengals may not get a chance to draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love, but they had to see the No. 1 RB prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft for themselves at his pro day.
Love was seen talking to Bengals running backs coach Justin Hill during Notre Dame’s pro day.
Love is not only the clear-cut consensus top tailback in this year’s class, it’s nearly impossible to find an NFL mock draft with him not included in the first eight picks. A to Z Sports’ latest mock draft has him going No. 7 to the Washington Commanders.
Still just 20 years old, Love has the tape and production of an early first-round pick regardless of the position he plays. It would be stunning to see him make it to the Bengals’ No. 10 pick, but it would not be so surprising to see Cincinnati capitalize on the opportunity.
Bengals would be dark horse team to draft Jeremiyah Love
Everyone and everyone’s mother is expecting the Bengals to address their defense with the No. 10 pick. Despite free agent signings Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, and Jonathan Allen fortifying the safety, defensive end, and defensive tackle positions, respectively, more help is needed for the unit as a whole. Cincinnati usually uses its first-rounder to fill a notable need, and DE, linebacker, and cornerback are the roster holes to note at the moment.
Why would the Bengals take a running back? Because Love would almost certainly be the best player available at a position that could very well become a need in a year’s time.
Chase Brown is fully settled in as the starting RB in Cincy’s offense, but he’s entering a contract year and the concept of extending that position remains a debatable topic. Love would likely start over Brown when Week 1 arrives, and he’d immediately become the future of the position the moment he’s picked.
Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are the identity of the Bengals, and adding a ballcarrier who can generate more explosive plays would only boost an already exciting offense. 50.6% of Love’s career rushing yardage for the Fighting Irish came on runs of 15 yards or more, of which he had 23 in 2025 alone. He also blazed a 4.36 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine.
At the very least, if Love does shockingly fall to Cincinnati’s pick, the Bengals are making sure they’d be fully on board with making the pick by touching base at his pro day.
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Bengals 2026 NFL Draft Meeting Tracker: 30 visits, Pro Days, and all the prospects Cincinnati is meeting with
The Cincinnati Bengals are meeting with many possible NFL Draft targets.
