Daniel Jeremiah Dishes on Saints 'Excitement' Around Tyler Shough, Possible Jeremiyah Love Pairing

The New Orleans Saints could go in several directions with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah explained that the Saints' enthusiasm surrounding quarterback Tyler Shough factored into their selection of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in his latest mock draft.

"There is a lot of excitement around Tyler Shough," Jeremiah said during a Friday appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (3:00 mark). "Listening to folks down here as well, talking to some guys around that organization and in that organization, there's an excitement there and they want to give him some more toys to play with. That's the best toy in the draft, in my opinion, in Jeremiyah Love."

New Orleans selected Shough with a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, leading to the 26-year-old starting nine games as a rookie.

He completed 67.6 percent of his throws for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with six interceptions.

Shough particularly excelled down the stretch of the season, recording 1,172 yards and five touchdowns while getting picked off once over his final four appearances. He also posted a 70.6 completion percentage over that span.

If the Saints are focused on building around Shough in the draft, they could target a player such as Love to boost a rushing attack that ranked No. 28 among all NFL teams in 2025.

Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Fighting Irish last season, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He also factored into their passing offense, hauling in 27 receptions for 280 yards and three scores.