2026 NFL Draft Buzz: Bengals Considered Ideal Fit for Elite Playmaker

Joe Burrow would be all smiles if the Bengals added a dynamic playmaker in this year's NFL Draft.

Nov 12, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) smiles toward Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman (6) on a fourth-down play in the second quarter of a Week 10 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images | Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — Most people expect the Bengals to address their defense in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but what if they add to their offense?

NFL analyst Bucky Brooks mentioned the Bengals as one of the possible landing spots for Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love.

"The Notre Dame standout has shown the competitive stamina to handle a heavy workload as a runner and receiver out of the backfield, making him the perfect complement to an elite quarterback or an emerging starter," Brooks wrote. "As a classic RB1 with speed, explosiveness and the playmaking ability to score from anywhere on the field, Love should pique the interest of the Washington Commanders (who hold the seventh overall pick), New Orleans Saints (eighth overall), Kansas City Chiefs (ninth overall) and Cincinnati Bengals (10th)."

Would the Bengals Really Take Love 10th Overall?

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's an interesting dilemma. On one hand, their defense needs serious help and they have Chase Brown at running back. On the other hand, Brown is entering the final year of his rookie deal and the Bengals should be targeting plug-and-play free agents to bolster their defense.

Part of that has to do with their history. They've spent a significant amount of draft capital on the defense in recent seasons.

Draft Investment

Cincinnati Bengal head coach Zach Taylor introduced Myles Murphy, 21, as the newest Cincinnati Bengal player at Paycor Stadium, Saturday, April 29, 2023. Murphy said he choose the number 99, because 98 wasnt available. DJ Reader is number 98. Like Reader, Murphy attended Clemson University.Myles Murphy Newest Cincinnati Bengals | Liz Dufour/Cincinnati Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals have spent seven draft picks in the first three rounds on defense over the past three seasons, including two first rounders (Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart). That includes guys like Jordan Battle, Demetrius Knight Jr., and DJ Turner II, who is on pace to become the best of the group by a wide margin.

If you go back to 2022, when they invested in the defense by adding Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt and Zach Carter in the first three rounds of the draft, Cincinnati has used 10 of their last 13 picks on day one and two of the draft (rounds 1-3) on defensive players.

That doesn't mean they should ignore the defense, but it would be silly to dismiss a player like Love because of their struggles on that side of the ball. They need to draft good players to bolster a roster that is thin after their top stars.

Adding a Playmaker

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates his touchdown in the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Love is considered one of the best players in the draft. Brooks guaranteed that he'll be gone in the first 10 picks. If he's on the board for the Bengals, they'll have to consider it.

"The most explosive running back in the draft is a top-five talent who likely comes off the board within one of the first 10 selections," Brooks wrote.

Love would be the seventh running back to be picked in the top 10 since 2015.

NFL.com compares him to Jahmyr Gibbs.

Will History Repeat Itself?

Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Ja'Marr Chase (LSU) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by Cincinnati Bengals as the number five overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The last time the Bengals had a top 10 pick, they used it on Ja'Marr Chase with the fifth overall selection. He went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and Cincinnati advanced to Super Bowl LVI.

Adding Love to an offense that has Joe Burrow, Chase, Tee Higgins and Brown is intriguing. Plenty of NFL personnel expected them to address their offensive line in 2021 when they picked Chase. He had an instant impact and helped Cincinnati reach heights they've never reached in 2021-22.

Now they need to get back there. Spending in free agency is a huge factor. If the Bengals address their defense in free agency, then Love should certainly emerge as a realistic target if they believe he can be an elite playmaker at the NFL level.

The combine is a few weeks away and there are plenty of evaluations that need to be completed, but Love will be one of the many players the Bengals consider over the next few months ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

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