2026 NFL Draft: Will Jeremiyah Love land in Nashville with Titans?

The 2026 NFL Draft is finally here. After months of speculation, combine workouts, and Pro Day performances, the football world is holding its breath for the first round on Thursday night. All eyes are on Nashville, Tennessee, where the Titans hold the No. 4 overall pick. And no prospect has been more tightly linked to that spot than Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love.

But is Love a lock to be the fourth name called? Or is the buzz just noise in a draft class loaded with elite talent? While the mock draft industry has been churning out predictions for weeks, a new tool is cutting through the chaos: the ESPN draft day predictor. Powered by an algorithm that blends Scouts Inc. grades, team needs, and aggregated mock draft data, this AI-driven model offers a fascinating glimpse into what might actually happen on draft night.

Let’s break down the numbers, the fit, and the alternatives. Is Jeremiyah Love destined for the Music City, or will the Titans go in a different direction?

The Algorithm’s Verdict: Love at No. 4 Is Probable, Not Certain

According to the latest data from ESPN’s Seth Walder, the predictor gives Jeremiyah Love a 45% chance of being selected at No. 4 overall. That is a remarkably high probability for any player at a single draft slot. To put it in perspective, most top-10 picks hover in the 20-30% range for their projected landing spots. Love’s 45% suggests the algorithm sees a very real marriage between the player and the team.

However, the flip side of that coin is equally important. A 45% chance means there is a 55% chance Love does not go at No. 4. That is a majority probability. The predictor is not a crystal ball; it’s a statistical model. It accounts for the possibility of trades, surprise picks, or a run on quarterbacks that could push Love down the board.

“The algorithm doesn’t do a complete mock draft,” Walder noted. “It compiles data from hundreds of mock drafts, cross-references them with team needs and player grades, and spits out the most likely outcome for each pick. For Love at No. 4, the data is strong, but it’s not a lock.”

So, what does this mean for Titans fans? It means Love is the frontrunner, but the front office in Nashville is keeping its options wide open.

Why Jeremiyah Love Fits the Titans’ Blueprint

Let’s talk about the player. Jeremiyah Love is not just another running back. He is a generational talent who redefined the position at Notre Dame. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Love combines rare power with track-star speed. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine, but his game tape is even more impressive.

• Elite vision and patience: Love excels at letting blocks develop before exploding through holes.
• Home-run ability: He averaged 6.8 yards per carry in his final college season, with 18 runs of 40+ yards.
• Receiving threat: Love caught 45 passes for 540 yards last year, making him a true three-down back.
• Pass protection: He graded out as one of the best blitz-pickup backs in the class, a must for NFL quarterbacks.

The Titans have a glaring need at running back. After trading away Derrick Henry two years ago, the team has struggled to establish a consistent ground game. Tony Pollard is a free agent, and Tyjae Spears has been injury-prone. Love would instantly become the centerpiece of a physical, run-first offense that head coach Brian Callahan wants to build. Nashville is a city that loves its power runners, and Love fits that mold perfectly.

Moreover, the Titans’ offensive line, anchored by left tackle JC Latham, is built for a downhill runner. Love’s ability to run between the tackles and break tackles would make him a nightmare for AFC South defenses. The fit is almost too good to ignore.

The Competition: Who Else Could Go No. 4?

If the Titans pass on Love, they won’t be short on options. The top of this draft is loaded with premium talent. Here are the primary threats to Love’s landing spot:

1. A Quarterback Run: The first three picks are widely expected to be quarterbacks—likely Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Cam Ward (Miami), and Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss). If that holds, the Titans will have their choice of the best non-QB. But if a team like the Raiders or Giants trades up for a QB, the board could shift dramatically.

2. Edge Rusher Abdul Carter (Penn State): Carter is a freakish pass rusher who some scouts compare to Micah Parsons. The Titans ranked 27th in sacks last season. Adding a game-wrecker like Carter could be too tempting for a defensive-minded coach like Callahan.

3. Wide Receiver Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona): The Titans need a true No. 1 receiver to pair with Calvin Ridley. McMillan is a 6-foot-5 target with elite hands and contested-catch ability. If the team believes in its running back depth later in the draft, McMillan could be the pick.

4. Cornerback Travis Hunter (Colorado): Hunter is the most versatile player in the draft, capable of playing both corner and wide receiver. The Titans’ secondary needs a lockdown corner. Hunter’s two-way potential is a luxury the team might not be able to pass up.

The predictor gives Love a 45% chance at No. 4, but it also shows a 20% chance for Carter and 15% for McMillan. That leaves 20% for a trade or a surprise pick. The Titans are in the driver’s seat, but they have multiple avenues to success.

Where Could Love Land If Not at No. 4?

If the Titans pass on Love, he won’t fall far. The running back market has been devalued in recent years, but Love is the kind of outlier who breaks trends. Here are three realistic landing spots if he slips past Nashville:

Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6): The Raiders are desperate for offensive firepower. With a new coaching staff and a likely rookie quarterback, adding a bell-cow back like Love would ease the transition. Las Vegas has a history of valuing elite runners (think Josh Jacobs). Love would be the face of their new offense.

Chicago Bears (No. 10): The Bears have a young quarterback in Caleb Williams and a solid offensive line. D’Andre Swift is not a long-term answer. Love would give Chicago a dynamic, every-down back who can take pressure off the passing game. The Bears’ fans would love this pick.

Dallas Cowboys (No. 12): Jerry Jones loves star power. The Cowboys have a hole at running back after letting Tony Pollard walk. Love playing in Jerry World, with the prime-time exposure and the Cowboys’ offensive line, would be a match made in marketing heaven. Don’t be shocked if Dallas trades up for him.

It’s also worth noting that the predictor gives Love a 30% chance of going in the top 10 but not at No. 4. That means the Titans are his most likely destination, but the draft is unpredictable. One trade could change everything.

Final Prediction: Love in Nashville, But Don’t Bet the House

After analyzing the data, the team needs, and the player’s talent, I believe Jeremiyah Love will be a Tennessee Titan. The 45% probability from the ESPN predictor is the highest we’ve seen for any non-quarterback at a specific pick in this draft. The Titans have a clear need, a scheme that fits his skill set, and a fan base that craves a physical identity.

However, the 55% chance he goes elsewhere keeps this story alive until the clock starts. If a team like the New England Patriots (No. 4 via trade) or the New York Giants (No. 3) falls in love with Love, the Titans could pivot to a pass rusher or a cornerback. The draft is a fluid ecosystem.

My expert take: Love to the Titans at No. 4 is the most likely outcome, but it’s not a slam dunk. I’d put the odds at 60-40 in favor of Love wearing two-tone blue. The algorithm is smart, but it doesn’t account for gut feelings or last-minute phone calls between general managers.

One thing is certain: Thursday night in Nashville will be electric. Whether Jeremiyah Love is the man or not, the Titans are poised to land a cornerstone player. For now, all we can do is wait, watch, and trust the numbers—or our instincts.

Bold prediction: Love goes No. 4 to the Titans. But if he doesn’t, the team that gets him will be getting a future All-Pro. The 2026 NFL Draft is here. Let the games begin.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.