NFL executives make bold predictions about Titans, RB Jeremiyah Love

On Wednesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the Tennessee Titans will make Notre Dame Fighting Irish star running back Jeremiyah Love the fourth overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

It appears not everybody is buying forecasts linking the Titans with Love. 

Does Titans HC Robert Saleh want to pass on drafting Jeremiyah Love?

"They’re going defense," one longtime NFL personnel executive recently told league insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US about how the Titans will spend the draft's fourth pick. "I love the running back, but [new Titans head coach Robert Saleh] isn’t taking a running back there. If you study how this plays out, with a new head coach, that first pick is almost always on his side of the ball. There’s going to be a run on defensive players after (presumptive first-overall pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and he’s going to be in it." 

A well-respected defensive mind, Saleh served as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator this past season. Meanwhile, Kiper is among those who think that Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese and Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey will be the draft's second and third picks after Mendoza goes to the Las Vegas Raiders. 

"I’d be really surprised if they went running back," a general manager said about the Titans' plans for the draft's first round. La Canfora added that "there is little doubt right now that Saleh’s voice resonates deepest as the Titans try to complete what’s become a lengthy rebuild."

How far could Jeremiyah Love slide during the draft? 

On Thursday, ESPN's Field Yates ranked Love as the draft's second-best prospect behind only Mendoza. Some believe that head coach John Harbaugh could push the New York Giants to grab Love if the ball-carrier falls to the Giants at pick No. 5. 

That said, La Canfora thinks a team could make a trade with the Titans to leapfrog the Giants in the draft order for Love. In his latest mock draft, The Athletic's Dane Brugler predicted that Love would land with the Washington Commanders via selection No. 7.