Titans' best Cam Ward running mate in 2026 NFL Draft is painfully obvious

The Tennessee Titans went on an aggressive free-agent spending spree to upgrade their defense for new head coach Robert Saleh. They could add another difference-maker on that side of the ball with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the offensive unit around young franchise quarterback Cam Ward leaves much to be desired.

While Ward has some decent pass-catchers to distribute the ball to, nobody from that group would qualify as an All-Pro-caliber playmaker. Tennessee's offensive line is shabby at center and right guard, too, with Band-Aid solutions in Austin Schlotmann and Cordell Volson respectively.

One particular prospect has an All-Pro ceiling. He can overcome pedestrian blocking, and be a big help to Ward as he tries to live up to his No. 1 overall status in Year 2.

Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love would alter the trajectory of Cam Ward's NFL career for the better

Assuming the Cardinals don't take him with the third pick, and that no other team leapfrogs the Titans in a potential trade with Arizona, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is a no-brainer, slam-dunk pick for Tennessee.

With the way the draft should fall, there should be both a starting-caliber guard and a defensive end to be had with the Titans' Day 2 picks. They could even address the edge when they kick off the fourth round with the No. 101 overall selection.

What they won't find in that range is a generational prospect who can make an immediate impact where they need it most. Saleh is famous for getting the most out of his personnel. He did that last season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, when injuries piled up to an almost unfathomable degree. That's a big reason why he got the Tennessee gig in the first place.

Now let's get deeper into Love himself. He's arguably the best running back prospect of our lifetime. He's largely considered one of the best player in the draft, period.

Notre Dame didn't have some prolific passing attack. Opponents stacked the box time and again over the last two seasons, doing everything possible to limit Love's efficacy. Those efforts failed far more often than not.

Love piled up 2,497 rushing yards and 35 TDs on 6.9 yards per carry across his last couple years in South Bend. That elite production is all the more impressive when you consider the following advanced data points:

If Ward is anywhere near who the Titans hope he is, he'll ideally force defenses to play lighter boxes and open up running lanes for Love as a result.

In reality, it's probably at least a year until Ward comes fully into his own as a top-10 type of player at his position. Love will enter the NFL firmly in that mix relative to the rest of the league's running backs. He's that special.

When you can make 98- and 94-yard house calls without a ton of help from your QB, you just might be a game-changer.

In addition to his prowess as a ball-carrier, Love is a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield who's flashed legitimate nuanced route-running from the slot. He totaled 55 receptions for 517 yards and five touchdowns dating back to 2024.

Tennessee reunited ex-Giants slot specialist Wan'Dale Robinson with new Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. That said, having another pass-catcher like Love who can flex out that way will only further open up Daboll's playbook.

What a luxury it'd be for Ward to not only hand the ball to Love some 20 times a game, but to also dump off screen passes and watch the Fighting Irish phenom break off chunk gains of 20-plus yards.

The Titans can definitely find an upgrade at guard over Volson on Day 2 with someone like Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge, or Love's teammate, Billy Schrauth. Promising defensive end prospects like Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas, Illinois standout Gabe Jacas, Michigan's Derrick Moore, and UCF's Malachi Lawrence should be there for the taking in Rounds 2 or 3.

With the fourth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, though, the Titans should submit their bid for the rights to Jeremiyah Love and have zero hesitation about it. And Cam Ward would be one happy man, too.