49ers RB Christian McCaffrey gushes over 2026 draft prospect

Christian McCaffrey knows what it takes to be a first-round running back. He was drafted No. 8 overall in 2017 and quickly established himself as one of the best offensive players in the NFL over his past nine seasons.

So it should be no surprise, then, that he also knows how to identify the best draft prospects. While the 49ers won't take him, McCaffrey effused praise for Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love ahead of the 2026 draft. Love is expected to be a first-round pick, too, who could go inside the top 10 like McCaffrey.

"When you watch his tape, you find out that he has that extra juice that you can't really coach — that's the vision, that's the contact balance," McCaffrey told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He's a guy that I'm sure is going to have continued success for as long as he plays."

McCaffrey added that teammates and coaches he knows within the Notre Dame organization "rave" about Love, which shouldn't be a shock either after the running back rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons and finished with 40 total touchdowns from 2024-2025.

When one of the better running backs in the league touts a prospect, teams should take notice. And while Love isn't a threat to McCaffrey's job, there's a chance he and the 49ers will play against the Notre Dame star in 2026 if he lands with the Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders or New York Giants — three teams who've been rumored to be interested in Love.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey gushes over 2026 draft prospect