NFL Draft intel: Jeremiyah Love destinations, O-line help for Raiders and Ty Simpson-Cardinals buzz 

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

We're answering the biggest questions about the draft. With that in mind, here are five: 

Where could Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Jeremiyah Love land after a flurry of RB spending in free agency? 

The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a three-year, $43.05M deal with RB Kenneth Walker III on Monday, while the New Orleans Saints agreed to a four-year, $52M deal with RB Travis Etienne. Considering both teams addressed the position, don't expect either to select Love (6-foot, 212 pounds) in the draft. (Kansas City owns pick No. 9, and New Orleans has pick No. 8.)

The Washington Commanders should now be a potential destination for Love, who ranked eighth in the FBS in rushing yards (1,372) in 2025. ESPN's Field Yates has them taking the Notre Dame standout with pick No. 7 in his updated mock. 

"We can debate the merits of taking a running back early in perpetuity, but Love is a dynamic dual-threat player, who would instantly supercharge what was a middle-of-the-road backfield last season," wrote Yates. "Teaming up Love with QB Jayden Daniels could be a lot of fun." 

But could Love go earlier? 

The RB confirmed the Tennessee Titans (who own pick No. 4) brought him in for a top-30 visit on March 5. Teams can bring up to 30 prospects for top-30 visits, which helps them to get to know players better. Tennessee — which ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing yards (93.5 yards per game) last season — could clearly use a playmaker in its backfield.

Who should Las Vegas Raiders target after Maxx Crosby trade agreement fell through?

The Raiders have agreed to trade DE Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, but the Ravens have backed out of the trade agreement. Vegas will no longer have pick No. 14 to use to build around Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 pounds), the presumptive No. 1 pick. The Raiders will likely still look to trade Crosby, but the return will undoubtedly be different than what they would have received from the Ravens.

The Raiders agreed to a three-year, $81M deal with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum on Monday, but adding another offensive lineman would be wise. Vegas allowed a league-leading 64 sacks in 2025. 

Tankathon's last mock draft has the AFC West club doing just that. The Raiders grab Penn State Nittany Lions guard Vega Ioane (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) — a 2025 second-team All-American — with pick No. 14.

"Ioane is the top pure guard in the class," wrote Bleacher Report's Brandon Thorn in his scouting report. 

Should Dallas Cowboys still use the draft to bolster pass-rush? 

On Monday, the Cowboys agreed to trade a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers for DE Rashan Gary after missing out on Crosby. The former Michigan Wolverine — who logged 7.5 sacks in 2025 — improves Dallas' pass-rush, but it needs more. 

Cowboys DE Jadeveon Clowney — who led the team in sacks (8.5) last season — is a free agent. If it loses him, Dallas must find a replacement quickly. No other player on the team had more than 5.5 sacks last season. 

The 2026 class is flush with pass-rushers, so figure on Dallas selecting an edge-rusher with pick No. 12 or No. 20. NFL Mock Draft Database projects that the Cowboys will take Miami Hurricanes DE Akheem Mesidor (6-foot-3, 259 pounds) with pick No. 20. He logged a career-high 12.5 sacks in 2025. 

"The Canadian makes his presence felt against both the run and the pass, and he shows good bend, closing burst and power," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. wrote of Mesidor, whom he ranks as his DE4 in the draft. 

Will the Arizona Cardinals take a swing on Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson? 

The Cardinals remain in the QB market after missing out on Malik Willis, who agreed to a three-year, $67.5M deal with the Miami Dolphins on Monday. Arizona's release of QB Kyler Murray will become official Wednesday. 

Taking Simpson — who started 15 games for Alabama in four seasons — with pick No. 3 would be a reach for Arizona, but it could trade back into the first round to select the Alabama QB. 

"Beyond the No. 3 overall pick in the first round, Arizona has second-, third- and fourth-round ammunition in this draft to get a solid move back into the first round if the team wants to be aggressive, including picks No. 34, 65 and No. 104," wrote Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson in a story published Tuesday.  

Simpson (6-foot-1, 211 pounds) wouldn't have to start in Arizona immediately. Veteran QB Jacoby Brissett, entering the second year of a two-year, $12.5M contract, could start the season, giving the Alabama product time to learn.

Could USC Trojans WR Makai Lemon fall in the draft? 

On March 5, The Ringer's Todd McShay said on his podcast that Lemon's interviews at the 2026 combine in Indianapolis "were not awesome." He added a league executive was more impressed with Ohio State Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) and Arizona State Sun Devils WR Jordyn Tyson (6-foot-2, 203 pounds). 

Poor interview or not, it would be stunning if Lemon (5-foot-11, 192 pounds) fell out of the first round. In his latest mock, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner has the Carolina Panthers taking him with pick No. 19. 

"For two years now, Lemon has reminded me of fellow former USC star Amon-Ra St. Brown [now with the Detroit Lions]," wrote Baumgardner. "He's explosive, fearless and highly skilled." 

Lemon's tape may outweigh concerns about his combine interviews. In 2025, the wideout ranked eighth in the country in receiving yards (1,156).