Ex-NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum made a prediction about the New York Giants’ first draft pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Recently, the team signed long snapper Zach Triner to a deal, and he will replace Casey Kreiter. John Harbaugh was hired as the new head coach for the Giants to change the direction of the franchise.
Mike Tannenbaum Predicts the Giants Will Draft Jeremiyah Love
The Giants have the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, and the talk of whom New York will pick is coming down to one name: Jeremiyah Love. In his last college season, the Notre Dame star ran for 1,372 yards on 199 carries, per ESPN. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry with 18 touchdowns.
During an appearance on “NFL on ESPN,” Tannenbaum spoke about Love’s draft prospects. He said he was not sold on Harbaugh passing on him in the draft. Tannenbaum said, “I’d be surprised if Tennessee passed on him, and I’d be shocked if the Giants…If you think about John Harbaugh, what does he stand for? Toughness.”
“I just can’t imagine John Harbaugh … would pass on someone as talented as Jeremiyah Love.”
—@RealTannenbaum on where Love could land in the NFL draft 👀 pic.twitter.com/4YTgRYwbKB
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 24, 2026
He added, “There is no better way to establish toughness than an effective running game.” “I just can’t imagine that John Harbaugh, in year one, who is trying to establish a new culture and new identity, would pass on someone as talented as Jeremiyah Love.”
Harbaugh seems poised to reestablish his Baltimore roots by building a dual-threat run game after last season’s potential flashes and heartbreaking injury to Cam Skattebo. The offense last year finished with a C-minus grade despite being ranked No. 24, per PFSN’s Team Offense Impact Metric.
Harbaugh came to the Giants to change the franchise and dominate the trenches. To do that, he needs a strong backfield that fights through a competitive NFC East.
Love could fit New York, considering Harbaugh’s style on the offensive side of the ball. Love did not fumble the ball once during his time with the Fighting Irish.
It’s hard to believe Harbaugh isn’t aware of that impressive stat. Potentially pairing Love with Skattebo could be a recipe for success. While Skattebo is more of a powerhouse back between the tackles, Love possesses home-run flash speed to conquer defenses that stack the box.
A duo like that could take a lot of pressure off second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart and provide New York’s offense with more flexibility. It remains to be seen whether New York will take Love with its No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
