Running back Jeremiyah Love and receiver Malachi Fields surge into first-round projections, showcasing Notre Dame's potent offensive stars climbing NFL draft boards.
We are 80 days away from the 2026 NFL Draft and with showcases like the East/West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl behind us, mock drafts are starting to become slightly more clear. Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love has consistently been in the Top 10 of almost every mock draft we've seen since the end of the regular season. But after a stellar performance in the Senior Bowl, an Irish receiver has made his way into the first round in Matt Miller's latest mock draft.
No. 8 - RB Jeremiyah Love, New Orleans Saints
"Speaking of drafting non-premium positions early, the Saints could have a similar conversation if Love is there at this pick. He is my No. 1 overall player and a dynamic running back with the talent to be a Bijan Robinson-level threat in the run and passing game. And the Saints have a need at running back with Alvin Kamara entering his age-31 season and no back on the roster emerging as a successor. Love's ability to break off long runs -- he had three touchdown runs of more than 90 yards in college -- speaks to his vision and acceleration at 6-foot and 214 pounds. He had 42 total touchdowns in three seasons and shows NFL-ready ability as a three-down, impact running back who would immediately take pressure off quarterback Tyler Shough." - Matt Miller, ESPN
The 6-0, 214-pound running back ended his Notre Dame career as one of the most prolific ball carriers to line up in the backfield. He was named a Unanimous All-American and was only the 38th player in the history of the Fighting Irish football program to achieve that feat.
Love ended the regular season ranked 2nd nationally in scoring, 2nd in total points scored, 2nd in total touchdowns (21), 3rd in rushing touchdowns (18), 4th in rushing yards (1,372), 5th in rushing yards per game (114.3), 5th in yards per carry (6.9) and 5th in all purpose yards per game (137.67). The St. Louis native finished the regular season with 199 carries, 1,372 rushing yards, 27 receptions, 280 receiving yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns.
No. 32 - WR Malachi Fields, Seattle Seahawks
"One of the biggest winners at the Senior Bowl, Fields parlayed a great week on top of a really strong career at Notre Dame to get into Round 1. Fields dominated defensive backs in Mobile with his size (6-foot-4, 218 pounds) and ability to win over the top. It reminded me of his game against Pitt last season, when he had seven catches for 99 yards and two scores. The Seahawks have an elite smaller receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but a physical presence like Fields on the outside would keep defenses from bracketing JSN in the slot or when he's aligned outside." - Matt Miller, ESPN
The 6-4, 223-pound receiver finished the 2025 season with 36 receptions, 630 receiving yards, averaged 17.5 yards per catch and had five receiving touchdowns. In his career, Fields accumulated 165 receptions, 2,479 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. He's one of the most productive receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft and is a physical specimen.
Fields was brought into South Bend to be their primary boundary receiver and quickly became one of quarterback CJ Carr's go-to targets throughout the season. He helped jumpstart the offense in the second half against Miami and had one of the best games of his career against Pitt on the road hauling in two touchdown grabs and one of the best catches of the 2025 season.
If the Virginia native is taken in the first round, he would be the first Notre Dame receiver since Will Fuller in the 2016 NFL Draft to be taken in the first 32 picks. Fields put on a clinic at the Senior Bowl and stood out above the rest down in Mobile, Alabama. Fields still has the opportunity to raise his draft stock with solid performances at the combine and at their Pro-Day in South Bend.
Running back Jadarian Price was also named as a second round pick by Miller in this latest mock draft. Price finished his season with 674 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns to go along with two 100-yard kick returns for touchdowns. The Texas native is projected to go No. 59 overall to the Houston Texans.
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