Dan Patrick knows a game-changing talent when he sees one, but he avoids the latest trend in NFL mock drafts. With the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, the Tennessee Titans hold the No. 4 overall pick.
Many analysts project them using that premium selection on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Patrick vehemently disagrees with the strategy, taking issue not with the player but with the destination.
The Problem with the Titans Drafting Jeremiyah Love at No. 4
Love cemented himself as college football’s premier offensive weapon this past season. He possesses the elite burst, vision, and pass-catching ability that force defensive coordinators to rip up their game plans.
According to PFSN’s CFB RB Impact metric, Love ranked 4th in all of college football for 2025 with a score of 92.4. Patrick recognizes the pedigree.
“Speaking of Jeremiyah Love, I had him as second on my Heisman list,” Patrick said on his show this week. “I thought he was wonderful this year. I thought he was must-see TV.”
The issue lies in Tennessee’s offensive infrastructure. The Titans are rebuilding under head coach Robert Saleh, and relying on a running back to mask foundational flaws leads to disaster. Using a top-five pick on a luxury position demands a roster ready to compete right now.
“Here’s the problem I have… the Tennessee Titans at number four, they’re the ones that a lot of these mock drafts have them taking Jeremiyah Love,” Patrick said. “And while I love Jeremiyah Love, I don’t want to take a running back unless I know that’s the missing piece.”
When a franchise has an established offensive line and a veteran quarterback, drafting a running back early makes sense. Patrick pointed out that the New York Giants took Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018 to pair with Eli Manning.
Barkley was drafted to be the final piece of a playoff puzzle, a dynamic safety valve who routinely eclipsed 1,200 total yards. The Dallas Cowboys executed a similar blueprint when they drafted Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall in 2016 behind an All-Pro offensive line. Elliott’s addition resulted in an NFL rushing title during his rookie season.
Tennessee lacks that luxury. The Titans are still trying to figure out their offensive identity, and their line remains a massive question mark.
“If I’m Tennessee, I think long and hard about, okay, take Jeremiah Love. How is my offensive line?” Patrick said. “Because if we’re confident, our line is pretty good, not average, then take Jeremiyah Love.”
Patrick warned that drafting him without a strong line would waste his rookie window. “You’re going to have him for four years, and then you might be getting better, and then you’re going to have to pay him.”
A Cautionary Tale in Las Vegas with Ashton Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders tried the exact strategy that mock drafts are currently projecting for Tennessee. Las Vegas drafted Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jeanty was electric in college, setting records and taking home the Doak Walker Award. In the NFL, he slammed into a brick wall.
Operating behind a leaky offensive line with inconsistent quarterback play, Jeanty averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and failed to break 1,000 rushing yards in his rookie year.
“The Raiders, they drafted Ashton Jeanty, and while I loved watching him in college, I didn’t think he played well,” Patrick said. “He might be the right guy. It just wasn’t the right time for him because the offensive line wasn’t any good.”
A generational running back cannot outrun bad blocking. Patrick sees a much better fit for Love with the Washington Commanders. Pairing him with Jayden Daniels injects life into an offense derailed by injuries last season.
“Jeremiah Love is a home run waiting to happen,” Patrick said. “But I got to make sure that I have a team that can allow him to hit home runs.”
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
The Titans need offensive tackles. They need edge rushers.
Drafting a flashy playmaker to run behind a struggling offensive line turns gold into pewter. General manager Mike Borgonzi needs to prioritize the trenches and build a team that can actually block before searching for someone to carry the rock.
