Vikings land top RB in exciting 2026 NFL Draft projection originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The only potential good news of a brutal season for the Minnesota Vikings is that they may be able to add a superb player in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs things stand heading into Week 14, the Vikings hold the No. 11 pick in the draft order.
The Athletic released a new mock draft this week, and in that spot, Dane Brugler projects that the Vikings will take Jeremiyah Love.
Love is the superstar running back out of Notre Dame, widely regarded as the No. 1 RB in this class.
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Running backs aren't prioritized as highly in the draft as many other positions, which is how he could potentially make it to the 11th pick.
The top RB in the 2025 draft was Ashton Jeanty, and he went No. 6, but a struggle of a rookie season for him could also impact how long Love lasts in his turn.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Like (Ohio State's Caleb) Downs, Love is one of the best players in the draft but positional value will limit his landing spots in the top half of Round 1," Brugler writes. "Here, that just means the Vikings get value by adding the draft’s most explosive offensive weapon — a versatile back who’d help both the run and pass games."
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Minnesota has a few RBs it trusts this season. Aaron Jones is the veteran, and in the offseason, the Vikings got Jordan Mason in a trade. He's been solid, too.
But if the Vikings have a chance to get Love, that'll be a big deal and a potential huge boost to the offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe one variable here is quarterback. If the Vikings decided to move on from J.J. McCarthy, they could pursue a first-rounder. Maybe they'd need a slightly higher pick to really get a guy they want at the QB position, though.
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