Bengals Face Tough Decision on Running Back in 1st Round

Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love could be an intriguing option for Cincinnati's offense.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:56pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a running back in motion, with sharp geometric planes in the Bengals' colors of orange and black, conceptually representing the difficult decision facing the team.The Bengals face a tough decision on whether to select the explosive Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.Cincinnati Today

The Cincinnati Bengals have a strong running game led by Chase Brown, but Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love could be an enticing first-round option if he's still available at the 10th overall pick. Love is a highly-touted prospect with a blend of speed, power, and receiving ability that could make him a dynamic weapon in the Bengals' offense.

Why it matters

The Bengals have not taken a running back earlier than the fifth round in Zac Taylor's seven-year tenure as head coach, so selecting Love in the first round would be a significant departure from their typical draft strategy. However, Love's talent and potential fit in Cincinnati's offense could be too tempting to pass up if he falls to them at 10.

The details

Love is a 6-foot, 212-pound running back who impressed scouts with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash time. He is praised for his combination of speed, power, and receiving ability, which could make him a dynamic weapon in the Bengals' offense. The Bengals already have an emerging star in Chase Brown, who had over 1,400 yards from scrimmage last season, but Love could provide another elite playmaker to complement Brown and the rest of Cincinnati's offense.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A highly-regarded running back prospect from Notre Dame who is known for his blend of speed, power, and receiving ability.

Chase Brown

The Bengals' leading rusher in 2025 who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Zac Taylor

The Bengals' head coach, who has not selected a running back earlier than the fifth round during his seven-year tenure.

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What they’re saying

“Love is an explosive athlete with a remarkable blend of balance and burst to be dynamic as both a runner and in the passing game. He is one of the most talented players in the 2026 draft class and projects as a high-upside NFL weapon.”

— Dane Brugler, Analyst, TheAthletic.com

What’s next

The Bengals will have to weigh the value of selecting a running back in the first round against their other needs on defense when they make their pick at 10th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft on April 24.

The takeaway

The Bengals' decision on whether to select Jeremiyah Love in the first round will be a fascinating storyline to follow leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. Love's talent could be too much to pass up, but it would mark a significant shift in the team's draft strategy under Zac Taylor.