The Cincinnati Bengals eye dynamic playmaker Jeremiyah Love ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals are continuing their pre-draft evaluations ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, where they hold the No. 10 overall pick. With a roster that still has clear needs, Cincinnati has been linked to several prospects across multiple positions. However, one of the more notable developments is their scheduled visit with Jeremiyah Love, a move that shows at least some level of interest in adding an offensive playmaker.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Love has already completed visits with the Tennessee Titans (No. 4 pick) and New York Giants (No. 5 pick), indicating that he is firmly in the mix as a potential top-10 selection.
His meeting with Cincinnati adds another team in that range doing due diligence on one of the most productive running backs in college football over the past two seasons.
Love’s production at Notre Dame is among the strongest in this draft class. In 2025, he rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, while also contributing 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Over his three-year college career, he totaled 2,882 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns, along with 594 receiving yards and six receiving scores, showcasing his ability to contribute in both phases.
Jeremiyah Love’s Elite Production and Athletic Profile
Love’s efficiency and explosiveness have driven his draft stock. He averaged 137.7 scrimmage yards per game in 2025 and maintained a 6.9 yards-per-carry average, ranking among the most efficient backs in the country. His big-play ability is reflected in multiple long touchdown runs, including a 94-yard score, and his ability to consistently generate chunk gains.
At the 2026 NFL Combine, Love reinforced his profile as an elite athlete. He posted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, one of the fastest times among running backs, along with a 1.55-second 10-yard split, placing him in the upper percentile for burst and acceleration. Those numbers align with what shows on tape, a back capable of hitting top speed quickly and finishing runs with power at 212 pounds.
Scouting evaluations also highlight his three-down ability. Analysts consistently describe him as a complete back who can run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield and hold up in pass protection. His combination of size (6-foot, 212 pounds), speed and receiving production has led some evaluators to project him as an immediate contributor at the NFL level.
However, the Bengals already have Chase Brown in the backfield and have invested resources in the offense in recent years. Meanwhile, reinforcements on defense, pass protection and a solid linebacker remain some of the team’s most pressing needs entering the new season. That raises the question of positional value, whether using the No. 10 pick on a running back is the most effective way to improve the roster.
There are also minor concerns in Love’s evaluation. Some scouting reports point to occasional missed running lanes and decision-making inconsistencies, as well as past injury history. While these are not considered major red flags, they are factors teams will weigh when considering him in the top 10.
Nevertheless, Love is one of the most complete offensive prospects in the class, with production, efficiency and elite athletic testing. But the Bengals’ final decision will depend on how they balance immediate defensive needs with the opportunity to add a dynamic offensive weapon.
At No. 10, that balance will define whether this visit turns into a selection.