Mel Kiper explains his top two Titans picks in final NFL mock draft

ESPN's Mel Kiper no longer adheres to the philosophy that NFL teams should not select running backs in the first round of the NFL Draft, especially when a running back is as versatile as Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love.

That is why Kiper's final mock draft of the 2026 NFL Draft cycle has the Tennessee Titans selecting Love with the fourth pick in the first round.

"That was a long, long, long time ago when I started that philosophy (about not selecting a running back in the first round) when I would present stats and people were yelling at me that makes no sense, but that was based on what was happening at that time," Kiper said on a conference call April 16.

Fast forward to today's NFL, and teams are using running backs in a variety of ways, making them more than just ball carriers, which is why Kiper has changed his tune. Not only is he fine with running backs going in the first round, but he believes Love, who had 1,372 yards on 199 carries and 18 touchdowns and 27 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns in 2025 at Notre Dame, is valuable enough to take very early in the first round.

"These running backs now are so accomplished as receivers that they're much more than just a running back. Just the swing passes or the screen passes, is not Jeremiyah Love. You can put him in the slot, you can put him out wide," Kiper said. "You think about Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, all those backs are more than just a great running back. They are great receivers. They've been using these guys like that for a while now. Jeremiyah Love is much more than just a running back. He's a weapon, he's a fear factor player, and that's why I like him there."

With his combination of running and pass-catching abilities, Kiper believes Love would be an asset for quarterback in Ward's second season, and that is another reason Kiper believes he could end up in Tennessee.