Jeremiyah Love's Landing Spot Predicted by Mel Kiper in New ESPN 3-Round Expert NFL Mock Draft

If the newest ESPN 2026 NFL mock draft is accurate, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love won't have to wait long to hear his name called when the 2026 NFL draft commences in Pittsburgh on April 23.

Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates made alternating picks in the three-round mock, which was released Thursday, and Kiper chose Love as the pick for the New York Giants at No. 5 overall:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

6. Cleveland Browns: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

8. New Orleans Saints: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

If the Giants take Love, they would add to an already deep and talented backfield featuring 2025 fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo, 2024 fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy and veteran Devin Singletary.

Last season, Skattebo was looking like a potential franchise running back as a rookie out of Arizona State, rushing for 410 yards and five touchdowns, and catching 24 passes for 207 yards and two scores in eight games.

However, his rookie campaign was cut short due to an open tibia fracture, ruptured deltoid ligament and right ankle dislocation.

If the Giants take Love early in the draft, it would perhaps be a sign that the organization is unsure of how quickly and easily Skattebo will bounce back from such a significant injury.

The Giants pursuing a high-end running back has been on the radar for a while, as ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported in February that there was talk at the NFL Scouting Combine about the Giants having interest in Love or a free-agent running back such as Kenneth Walker III or Travis Etienne.

Since Walker signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and Etienne joined the New Orleans Saints, it leaves Love as the last available running back who could potentially step right in and start for the G-Men.

While the Giants have the same general manager in Joe Schoen, a change was made at head coach with New York hiring longtime Baltimore Ravens head man John Harbaugh.

Per Raanan, "there seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical, run-heavy team" since the arrival of Harbaugh.

While Skattebo can bring the physicality when healthy, Love would perhaps be more of a sure thing on the heels of a dominant collegiate career.

In 2024, Love rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also catching 28 passes for 237 yards and two scores.

Jeremiyah Love highlights

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He was somehow even better last season, rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, and making 27 receptions for 280 yards and three additional touchdowns.

The 20-year-old finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting last season, along with being named a unanimous All-American and winning the Doak Walker Award as the top running back in the nation.

While the Giants may have other areas of greater need than running back after going 4-13 last season, Love would give them another explosive weapon on offense and perhaps make life far easier for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart.