The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 offseason with more questions than answers at the game’s most important position, and the first wave of mock drafts has only intensified that spotlight.
After a 2025 season that featured flashes but plenty of growing pains from starter J.J. McCarthy, many fans and analysts have begun urging the franchise to reconsider its long-term plan under center.
Into that debate stepped veteran NFL analyst Charles Davis, who in his latest 2026 mock draft projected Minnesota would use the No. 18 overall pick on Notre Dame’s dynamic runner Jeremiyah Love.
If that projection holds, it would signal a bold philosophical pivot.
Rather than investing in immediate quarterback insurance, Minnesota would be adding a premier offensive weapon to a roster already built around explosive playmakers, a move that suggests the organization may believe it can stabilize the quarterback situation by strengthening everything around it.
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Across his final collegiate season, Love established himself as one of the nation’s most efficient and explosive playmakers, rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry.
He also added 280 receiving yards and three more scores, showcasing the kind of three-down versatility NFL teams covet.
His big-play ability earned national recognition, capturing the Doak Walker Award, earning unanimous All-American honors, and emerging as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after powering the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a 10–2 season.
Scouts consistently praise his vision, contact balance, burst through tight creases, and comfort in the passing game, with many viewing him as a true workhorse that can anchor an offense for years to come.
That profile is why several mock drafts have placed Love inside the top 10, making a slide to No. 18 notable for many reasons.
And that’s where the quarterback debate enters the picture. While using premium draft capital on a running back instead of a passer could invite criticism, this year’s quarterback class is widely viewed as shallow. Investing in a reliable, three-down back could ease the burden on whoever lines up under center in 2026.
For the Vikings, Love would provide an immediate downhill presence to complement their receiving corps and serve as a stabilizing force as the franchise decides whether to stick with McCarthy, pursue a veteran option, or develop another rookie behind the scenes.
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